TJJD News & Announcements

On September 17th, 2015,  McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility opened its Education doors to parents.  Students and parents took a tour of vocational buildings to learn about our Welding, Horticultural Science, and Principles of Agricultural classes. After their tour, parents visited throughout the school and, for many of them, this was their first opportunity to visit face-to-face with their youth’s teachers and administrators. In many of the classrooms, student work was posted so parents could view what students are learning and the expectations that teachers have for them.

What led you to your career in juvenile justice? After finishing my Master’s Degree at Abilene Christian and working for a few years as a Campus minister at Texas Tech I tested my entrepreneurial wings and found out I did not really like being my own boss.  I asked a friend that I grew up with in San Angelo if he knew of any job openings in the area and the next thing I knew I was interviewing for a JPO position in Tom Green County. My initial interview was in Roy Robb’s front yard while he washed his bird dogs.  The second interview was in his office and a little more formal. That was the beginning of my JPO career in March of 1986. What types of facilities do you operate? When the Post Adjudication facility grants were available Tom Green County applied and received funding to build a 48 bed drug treatment facility that we operated for 6 years.  Revenue barely covered expenses for those years and the county finally got permission from the state to convert it to an a...

In recognition of Law Enforcement Appreciation Month, Willoughby House hosted its first annual appreciation “Meet and Greet” for local police officers and law enforcement officials. Law enforcement members joined youth and Willoughby House staff in sharing sandwiches, chips, juice and donuts.  They also received Certificates of Appreciation. Willoughby House Superintendent Diane Eunice credits Assistant Superintendent Felicia Reynolds with the inspiration for this project. “We really wanted to show our appreciation for our local officers because they always show up when their assistance is needed, even if they could have just taken our reports over the telephone.  They sometimes stop by on occasion just to see what we’re all about.” One local police officer, Sgt. Preston Walker with the Fort Worth P.D., stopped by for the meet and greet. “Sgt. Walker shared that he has been on the force for 26 years and it was nice listening to him share experiences he’s had in the...

The Juvenile Justice Training Academy (JJTA) has moved forward with the final steps of implementing Human Resources Code Section 221.006, created via Senate Bill 1356, which was passed during the 83rd Texas Legislative Session (2013). The statute requires all juvenile probation and supervision officers to have Trauma Informed Care training prior to certification or renewal (for existing officers).Currently, this course is required for officers to take only once.  In July 2015, the JJTA sent an email to all departments advising staff that effective September 1, 2015, all new certification requests or renewals submitted would be required to identify the Trauma Informed Care training as part of the application process.  Since Trauma Informed Care has not yet been added to the mandatory topics identified in ICIS, this training will need to be manually entered in on the Trainings Page of the Application and Diane Laffoon, Certification Officer, will be reviewing them.  If you ...

Republished from the July 30, 2015 Grand Saline Sun Kids and Dogs Part of County’s Youth Education Initiative By Vy Townsend Malik Staff Writer What does a compassionate, gentle, professional youth officer have in common with a slobbering, lumbering, disciplined bloodhound? They bring J.K. H.O.P.E. – Just Kids Hands On Pet Education – to the youth of Van Zandt County.  The unique intervention program provides those ages 6-18 an opportunity to share respect, responsibility and care for animals through hands-on experiences. Primary Prevention and Supervision Officer Venetia Stanley works at the county’s Youth Multi Service Center, taking her 120-pound, red bloodhound Big Mac to youth in the Juvenile Probation Department, to school groups and to the Canton Animal Shelter where she helps young people develop skills using the natural relationships and unique bonds that develop when kids become responsible for caring for animals. School Programs The J.K. H.O.P.E. Program work...

The Texas Department of Agriculture Administrative Review of the TJJD National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs (NSLP/SBP) was completed in September 2015 and TJJD earned an excellent report.  There were no findings against the agency and the reviewer said TJJD would receive a certificate of excellence signed by the Texas Commissioner of Agriculture. Last year, only 17 of approximately 500 contracting entities (CEs) reviewed in Texas received an excellent award.  The reviewer said that it is very rare for a residential child care institution to receive an excellent award due to the added challenges. The reviewer was very complimentary of the processes in place in Nutrition and Food Services.  She reported that the reviewers visiting the sites said that the staff was friendly and knowledgeable, that the food served looked very fresh, that there was a good variety of foods served, and that the breakfast and lunch meals met program requirements. TJJD congratula...

Evins Regional Juvenile Center Family Liaison Elva Benitez introduced the Parenting and Paternity Awareness (p.a.p.a.) curriculum to eight youth at the facility who are young fathers.  Key themes in the curriculum focus on the importance of father involvement, the value of paternity establishment, the legal realities of child support, the financial and emotional challenges of single parenting, the benefits of both parents being involved in a child’s life, healthy relationship skills, and relationship violence prevention. Mrs. Benitez said she hopes the program will provide the youth with tools that will help them be good responsible parents when they leave TJJD and are reunited with their children.  The 10-week course consists of weekly classes and is optional for the youth.  During their first class, Mrs. Benitez went around the room and each youth was asked to introduce themself and give their child’s first name.  Youth Raman, who is a soon to be father, said, ...

Youth at Ayres House were invited by the Boys and Girls Club of San Antonio to take part in its eight-man flag football league.  The teams have competed in two games thus far and league play continues until mid-November.  The flag football league is free to Ayres youth and they were provided jerseys and cleats.  Also recently, at the request of Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert Jr., four eager young men from Ayres house assisted the Commissioner’s Office with a graffiti wipeout project in a northeast Bexar County neighborhood. The neighborhood’s wall was littered with graffiti for a half block and the Ayres House boys, JCO Leander Allen and Community Relations Coordinator Jarvis Soileau accepted the challenge of repainting the entire wall.  Commissioner Calvert thanks the Ayres House staff and youth and rewarded the youth men with pizza while offering encouraging words about seizing positive opportunities to better their lives. PHOTO: Youth participating in...

The 11th Annual Strengthening Youth & Families Conference, held in October at the San Marcos Embassy Suites Conference Center, was a collaborative educational and networking event that brought together helping professionals, advocates, educators, service recipients, and community volunteers. Approximately 300 people attended the conference, featuring an array of high quality workshops, keynote presentations, and networking opportunities. Many topics regarding the delivery of high-quality services to vulnerable youth and their families was covered by the speakers, but recurring topics included fostering resiliency in children,  trauma-informed practices, and the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES). The conference featured three prominent keynote speakers – Bryan Samuels, who is the Executive Director of Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago; Nan Henderson, who is an internationally recognized author, trainer, and consultant on fostering human resiliency; and Joe ...

Student interns at both undergraduate and graduate levels rotate throughout the different divisions of Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) providing exposure to all aspects of the juvenile justice system.  During 2014 HCJPD hosted 21 interns collectively completing approximately 6,400 hours.  Juvenile Probation Officers take on the assignment of teaching and mentoring, providing them professional and practical experience. As a final project the interns prepare and deliver a presentation to the executive staff where they combine academic knowledge with practical experiences learned during their internship. HCJPD maintains a strong affiliation with local universities and continues to expand the current list to include universities from other states. The HCJPD Doctoral Internship Program in Professional Psychology provides internship opportunities for students who are currently enrolled in a doctoral program in psychology (clinical, counseling, forensic, or ...

British Minister of Justice Michael Gove visited the Giddings State School on September 23 as part of his fact-finding tour of Texas to learn more about recent reforms in Texas criminal justice. In addition to meeting with public policy makers and advocates and touring Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities, Gove wanted a first-hand view of the Giddings State School and the Capital and Serious Violent Offenders program.  Executive Director David Reilly and Giddings Superintendent Jorge Gonzalez provided a tour of the Giddings campus.  During the tour, Gove spoke to numerous Giddings staff members and youth while visiting the school building, welding shop, auto mechanics shop, dormitories and the security unit.  A BBC camera crew and reporter also accompanied Gove as he toured Giddings.  The BBC is producing a documentary about criminal justice reform in Texas and how leaders in the UK hope to replicate many of the reforms.  While the documentary...

At a September 16 reunion at the Giddings State School, approximately 40 former Giddings youth returned to thank former and current staff who worked with them to turn their lives around and deliver a message of hope to current Giddings residents.  The reunion was an effort by Charleston White and the Hyped about HYPE (Helping Youth People Excel) Youth Outreach organization. White was 14 when he and a group of teenagers were found responsible for the death of a man during a robbery.  He was committed to one of TJJD’s predecessor agency, the Texas Youth Commission, until his 21st birthday.  During that time, White admits that he was a difficult youth, often involved in disturbances and fights.  But he acknowledges that he was given a second chance during that time, and that the influences of the adults he interacted with daily while at Giddings was instrumental in his 180 degree turnaround.  White has since dedicated his activities to reaching out to other at-...

TJJD would like to recognize the following employees who have received a tenure award June-August of 2015. On behalf of the agency, we extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and service to the State of Texas. June 2015 FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE Anabel Quiroz-Elizondo, Evins Bradilyn R. Randle, Giddings Kathi L. Gotcher, McLennan CSJCF Lee N. Lewis, Giddings Nikki G. Fanning, McLennan CSJCF Peggy J. Rohde, Giddings Rachel E. Carroll, Ron Jackson Rebecca L. Wade, Giddings TEN YEARS OF SERVICE Abel C. Martinez, Evins Albert R. Moss, Ron Jackson Derek J. Rivera, Tamayo HWH Florin Jude, McLennan Phoenix Glenn D. Haynes, Giddings Jacqueline L. Cooper, McLennan CSJCF Jaime Ramirez, Ron Jackson O&A Jeannie L. Moore, Willoughby HWH Larry R. Leatherwood, Gainesville Mary E. Smith, McLennan CSJCF Mary E. Williams, Willoughby HWH Milton Reyna, Evins Noe A. Flores, Evins Pernilla M. Johansson, Austin (Finance) Rigoberto Quintero, McLenn...