Skip to main content

Results from TJJD Staff Survey on Enhancing Staff Support and Supportive Work Environments

AUSTIN, Texas – The Supporting Staff Workgroup, a subgroup of the Youth in Custody Practice Model (YICPM)*, conducted an assessment to identify ways that agency leadership may better support the needs of staff. TJJD seeks to recognize staff as the agency’s most valuable resource, establish systems of support for mental and physical wellness, and develop a highly-qualified workforce to ensure employees are fully prepared to meet the challenges of their positions through training, building safe and supportive environments and avenues for responsive communication. This was this first quarterly survey sent to staff.

Some of the outcomes of the survey are noted in the infographic on the following page. The Supporting Staff Workgroup has used information contained in the survey results to strategically plan how TJJD can enhance systems of support for staff and the workgroup anticipates providing staff with a regular update on measures taken as a result of these results.

The first survey focused primarily on job stressors. Future surveys will focus on efforts for staff recognition that would be most meaningful; whether or not pre-service training adequately prepares staff; and how supervision could be enhanced and identifying key characteristics of an ideal supervisor. The workgroup has identified many areas that we will ultimately seek staff input on.

The workgroup appreciates those individuals who responded to survey and hope to achieve an even greater response as the surveys become more routine to allow staff to have additional input. The ultimate goal is for all staff to know that their voice is heard and to improve overall employee satisfaction.

* YICPM is an initiative that began in Spring 2016. TJJD continues to make advances to align the agency’s every day practices to core, research-based principles of best practices in four key areas to include: case planning, transition planning, communitybased services and facility-based services (e.g. education, behavioral health, behavior management, rehabilitative programming). The agency will continue to develop customized action plans to implement desired policy and practice improvements and achieve measurable objectives.

For more information, please contact Kristy Almager at 512.490.7125 or Kristy.Almager@tjjd.texas.gov or Chris Ellison at 512.490.7245 or Chris.Ellison@tjjd.texas.gov.

Popular posts from this blog

McFadden Sends Youth Home with Backpack of 'Hope'

By Y. Denise Caldwell Community Resource Coordinator, Northern District Parole Office FLOWER MOUND, Texas - Larry Bossaler, McFadden volunteer  McFadden Ranch Volunteer Larry Bossaler enjoys his assignment: Making sure that every youth who leaves the McFadden halfway house knows that people are praying for him and wishing him the best in his future. He is the man who brings them their “Good-Bye” backpack.    When he delivers the backpacks, he makes sure to do three things – visit with the youth, show the contents of the backpack (because staff put them in the lockers until the youth leaves),   and lastly close the visit with a heartfelt prayer. The youth enjoy and appreciate the backpack, the visit and the prayer. Many are a little anxious and scared to leave but knowing that the McFadden volunteers care enough to send them off in this special way, helps them feel a bit less worried. “I always bring an extra backpack,” Larry said.   “In case a youth i

McFadden Ranch High School Graduates Honored

DENTON, Texas -- The Kiwanis Club of Denton recognized nine youth from McFadden Ranch who earned their high school diploma or equivalency by inviting them to their April 17 noon meeting and luncheon where they were awarded $50 each for their trust fund. Spearheaded by JCO IV Gregory Winn, a longstanding member of the Kiwanis Club of Denton, the event was truly memorable for the youth who attended. They heard a motivational and moving presentation by Texas Rep. Pat Fallon, who completed the Greatest Endurance Challenge – the World Marathon Challenge – tackling seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. He took the challenge after being inspired by Jonny Wade, a 7-year-old boy who battled pediatric cancer and had only one wish – ‘that no other kid ever gets cancer.’ Wade’s death led to the creation of Pediatric Cancer Foundation for which Fallon raised over $250,000 so far. Fallon, who represents a portion of Denton County, said the takeaway from his experience is that we

Teamwork Leads to Arrest Without Incident

GAINESVILLE, Texas – Late at night on July 21, a young man escaped from the Gainesville State School, and an exceptional team effort ensured that he was found the very next day. Employees from TJJD State Programs, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, local law enforcement, and TJJD Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigators from Gainesville, Brownwood, Mart, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin all answered the call that night. Sgt. Gabriel Medellin was contacted at approximately 2:00 a.m., on July 22. He left San Antonio for Gainesville at approximately 6:00 a.m. to meet with other investigators and begin searching for the youth. At approximately 12:25 p.m., Sgt. Medellin observed a male walking down a highway in Gainesville who matched the description of the youth. Sgt. Medellin made contact, confirmed his identity, and made the arrest without incident. He was assisted by OIG Sergeants Walker Willey (Ron Jackson) and Tom Hamilton (Mart). OIG Chief Forrest Mitchell s