Regional Training Officers Meet to Discuss Basic Training Curricula Changes

TJJD hosted its annual Regional Training Officer (RTO) meeting in partnership with the Correctional Management Institute of Texas August 3-6, 2015 at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. This year, approximately 16 RTOs from around the state came together for this collaborative opportunity. The primary goal of this workgroup meeting is to ensure the content contained the current Juvenile Probation Officer Basic and Juvenile Supervision Officer Basic curricula is updated, relevant, applicable and written in a way so it can be consistently delivered statewide to officers. With the end of the 84th Texas Legislative session, it was also necessary to determine whether or not any legislative changes needed to be made to the Basic curricula.

In preparation for this workgroup meeting, TJJD solicited input via a survey for suggested changes to the curricula from participants attending TJJD’s Training Coordinators’ Conference that was held in June as well as sending the survey to all departments in July. In addition to the survey results, other topical areas of discussion included: feedback from previous Basic training evaluations; how Basic training is being provided locally; courses we may/can shift to e-learning modules; and defining ways to enhance existing Basic curricula. Each year, a significant amount of work goes into updating the Basic curricula. It is unequivocally the individual efforts of those attending that collectively make a difference in how incoming officers are trained statewide. The changes that are proposed during the workgroup meeting will be implemented November 1, 2015. An email will be sent to all departments when the curricula is available to be downloaded, however, all revised Basic curricula will be on the TJJD training portal website on or before this date.

We want to thank all of the RTOs that participated in this workgroup meeting. Their generous input and commitment made this a valuable experience for everyone that attended. In addition, we would also like to acknowledge Monique Holman with Correctional Management Institute of Texas. Monique continues to do a phenomenal job coordinating the RTO meetings and systematically helps prepare all materials for the RTOs. She remains our primary point of contact at CMIT with this group and is highly efficient, dedicated to her job and always goes the extra mile to provide the best level of customer service possible. Thank you, Monique!

If you have any questions or would like additional information regarding the RTO meeting, the RTO process or if you would like to become a Regional Training Officer and potentially serve on this workgroup, please contact Chris Ellison at 512.490.7245 or Kristy Almager at 512.490.7125.

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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