TJJD News & Announcements

When Comal County Juvenile Probation Chief Kris Johnson joined the department in March 2011, he brought with him a long-term vision to open an Evening Reporting Center (ERC) in the county.  ERCs, which require youth offenders to report to specified locations during evening hours for programming, skills building and community service, were first used in Chicago, where juvenile justice advocates needed after school programs to keep their higher risk kids from getting involved in the gang scene.  They also serve as an alternative to detention pending a youth’s hearings.  ERCs have become common detention alternatives in many communities throughout the United States and are based on research and best practices recognized by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Johnson believed implementing an ERC in Comal County would reduce juvenile crime by providing supervision during the hours crime is most likely to occur.  Additionally, it could significantly reduce the cost of deten...

A grassroots effort by Bell County Juvenile Probation to sponsor a Boy Scout program resulted in the formation of Troop 112 in October 2009.  The Troop was originated by Prevention Technician Ronald Holston, who has since retired, and JPO Joey Cummings. Mr. Cummings is the Assistant Scout Master and works alongside Scout Master Monico Monroe.  These two gentlemen have a combined 49 years of experience in the Bell County department and are dedicated to improving the lives of young people. At its onset six years ago, the troop’s activities included regular meetings and nearby day trips. Over the years, activities have expanded to include weekend campouts, fishing excursions, merit badge training, “leave no trace” hikes, voluntary community service, raising money for local charities, and a variety of other Boy Scout-sponsored activities. In June 2014, Troop 112 began the tradition of a week-long campout where they traveled to ‘Bend of the River’ State Park, camped for two ni...

Often overlooked in the sheer number of youth who move through the juvenile justice system is the effect that TJJD staff and programing can have on the individual life of one youth.  One example of that success is a Willoughby Halfway House youth who has completed the Independent Living program and is a proud apartment renter!  Upon arrival at Willoughby, NR, 18, worked the program, became gainfully employed at Risky’s BBQ, saved his money and reached his goal, to be self-sufficient.  Prior to his arrival at Willoughby, NR was at the Mart Residential Treatment Center.  He says “I’ve come a long way since those days because all I wanted to do was fight every day, be aggressive and stubborn all the time.” NR stated that he wanted to thank staff at CRTC/MRTC,  Mr. Kelvin Powers, JCO VI, Ms. Demetrius Jackson, JCO V and Ms. Sylvia Waters, Caseworker, for “encouraging me and being there for me when I needed them – they supported me and always let me know when I...