A Message From the Director

Greetings;

I am very pleased and proud to introduce our “new and improved” Texas Juvenile Justice Today newsletter through this column. The former “Executive Director’s Report” focused exclusively on TJJD state operations. A number of people asked over the past few months whether the agency’s newsletter could become more reflective and more representative of who we are today – one agency administering one system. So, we have done away with the Executive Director’s Report format in favor of this Texas Juvenile Justice Today. This is our first edition.

Through this newsletter, we hope to include stories, articles and features that will reflect a wide array of different programs, special events, staff profiles both from state operations and probation departments, community participation in programs, and operations both at the state and local levels. Stories and profiles of the wonderful people who do this work that you may not hear about otherwise. It’s an unfortunate fact of life that most of what we may hear about going on “somewhere else” in our state is of a negative nature. And sometimes it is. But the fact is that the achievements, the creativity, the dedication and commitment reflected through the work of our collective employees doesn’t typically get the same level of attention. So this is an effort, one effort, to communicate among ourselves about some of the interesting and noteworthy activities going on in state programs and in local probation departments around the state.

I hope you will find articles of interest in these pages. There are hundreds if not thousands of great stories out there. Please keep sending them in.

And please let us know how we can continue to improve on Texas Juvenile Justice Today.

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

IN MEMORY AND APPRECIATION: Trayce Haynes Alexander

Trayce Haynes Alexander, of Cat Spring, Texas passed away in April. She was a JCO IV at the Giddings State School and began her employment with the Texas Youth Commission on January 5, 2009, as a JCO III. She was promoted to a JCO IV on April 1, 2010. Trayce was a hardworking, loyal and dedicated staff member and friend. Her number one priority was the youth in her dorm and she would drive one hour and forty minutes everyday (even in ill health) to try to make a difference in the lives of the youth she worked with. She was well respected by both staff and youth due to her extraordinary work ethic. The boys could always depend on her to hold them accountable. She is survived by her husband Geoff Alexander and two daughters, Kristyn and Robyn Alexander. Trayce was born on September 3, 1952. She earned a BS from Southwest Texas State University in Law Enforcement.

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