11th Annual Strengthening Youth & Families Conference

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 Barton, who is Deputy Chief of Behavioral Health for the Randall County Juvenile Probation Department. They motivated and inspired conference participants.

One of the exciting activities at the conference included an exclusive screening of the new film “Paper Tigers”, produced by James Redford and Karen Pritzker. “Paper Tigers” is a documentary that followed the lives of several students in an alternative school that specializes in educating traumatized youth. The film examines the approach of Trauma Informed Communities, a promising movement in healing youth struggling with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES).

Representatives from the following agencies and organizations were present: Health and Human Services Commission and Texas System of Care, Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, the State Volunteer Resource Council for Texas Youth, Texas Juvenile Justice Providers Association, Texas Education Agency, Texas School Safety Center at Texas State University, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and Prairie View A&M University's Juvenile Crime Prevention Center.

Plans are already underway for the 2016 SYF Conference. For more information, contact Tammy Holland at 512-490-7090.

PHOTO: Conference participants were able to attend a variety of high-quality workshops taught by subject matter experts.

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.

TJJD News & Announcements

Search This Blog