TJJD News & Announcements

Schaeffer House participated in this year’s National Prayer Day on May 5th.  There were various presenters brought in that spoke about careers, public service, knowledge in their field, music (experiences in a recording studio and music lessons to the youth), mime performances, and how faith has helped them throughout their different journeys.  Every one of these individuals brought a different outlook to all the youth that attended. Fourteen youth in the morning attended and 19 in the afternoon. It was a great success. Among the presenters were:  Jesse Dorantes (Peace Officer and Firefighter) from El Paso County ESD-2 Fire Marshal’s Office, Greg Whited (retired Peace Officer and Fire Investigator) from Texas Gas Service, Nathan De La Cruz (Musician) from Seed For His Harvest Ministries, Pastor Ray De La Cruz (Head Pastor) from Seed For His Harvest Ministries, Lisa Sanchez, Local Recording Christian Artist, Gus Aguilar and Jessica Dorantes (Youth Connections) from Tem...

Willoughby House hosted a Reentry Appreciation event for youth to commemorate the U.S. Justice Department’s designation of April 24-30 as National Re-entry Week. Superintendent Diane Eunice said, “We wanted to recognize youth who had attained various achievements while at TJJD, such a getting a job, earning a GED or High School Diploma, earning college credits from Navarro College, completing community service hours and obtaining vocational certifications. The youth received a certificate, cake and ice cream and most importantly applause and cheers from their peers and staff.” The event was spearheaded by Workforce Reentry Specialist Christi Villegas who plans to collaborate with Willoughby House and make National Reentry Week an annual event while highlighting youth who have been engaged in constructive activities that will benefit them once they are released back into the community. Felicia Reynolds, Assistant Superintendent said, “The youth really appreciated being celebrate...

Giddings State School welcomed families on May 7, 2016 for a Family Day.  The weather was beautiful. Families enjoyed a meal, participated in games and enjoyed quality time together.  The time that is provided for families on these special days is crucial to the youth’s success in their treatment. Each boy was offered a flower to give to their mother or special loved one in honor of Mother’s Day.  There were numerous youth that were able to connect with family members that they have not seen for long period of time. Some youth are fathers and one was able to see his daughter for the very first time.  He looked her over many times, noticing that she had toes just like him! He will have an opportunity to participate in PAPA classes taught to youth that are fathers.  These classes teach skills and inform the fathers of responsibilities they will have upon release.

Teens at the Gainesville State School joined millions of others around the globe who were celebrating Global Youth Service Day (GYSD).  The Gainesville youth participated in projects that will impact four community organizations in a youth-led initiative. Gainesville City Manager Barry Sullivan led the kick-off event, issuing a proclamation, making it “Global Youth Service Day in Gainesville, Texas.”  Youth learned about children’s health as they made “booboo bunnies” for the local hospital emergency room and Children’s Hospital.   They learned about problems associated with literacy as they made alphabet coloring books with traceable letters for the local Head Start program.  Youth learned about hunger as they created colorful paper baskets filled with nutritious snacks for VISTO.  Youth also learned about animal abuse/neglect as they made puppy blankets and chew toys for Noah’s Ark animal shelter. Global Youth Service Day recognizes the positive imp...

Brazos County Executive Director for Juvenile Services Doug Vance, Ph.D., is the new chairperson of the TJJD Advisory Council.  He served as the Council’s Vice Chair since 2012 and has been an active leader of the Standards Committee which, since 2012, has been responsible for systemic improvements to the Texas Juvenile Justice System by making beneficial revisions to Texas Administrative Codes 341, 343, & 355 pertaining to state-wide Standards of Care. Doug has 23 years of experience in juvenile justice serving since 2005 as Executive Director for Juvenile Services in Brazos County Texas.  Prior to that, he spent nine years as the Superintendent of both Pre and Post-Adjudication Detention Services for the Dallas County Juvenile Services Department, and he began his Juvenile Justice Career in Hunt County Texas where he held the title of Assistant Director for the Hunt County Juvenile Probation Department. Doug is an effective advocate for juvenile services in Texas and...

After nearly a year of organization and planning, TJJD is set to begin assisting counties with diverting eligible youth from state placements.  The agency’s Regionalization Task Force, comprised of county probation chiefs from around the state along with other stakeholders, has met six times to develop guidelines regarding what type of youth will be best served in a regional placement as opposed to commitment to the state system.  The Task Force also worked on a funding mechanism to ensure state funding for these diversions. Beginning June 1, 2016, TJJD will begin accepting applications from counties to place youth who meet diversion criteria.  By the end of Fiscal Year 2016, 30 youth will be diverted from state placement.  In 2017, an additional 150 youth will be diverted.  TJJD staff, county officials and providers have worked diligently to identify regional placement options that will provide youth with the appropriate services in a location closer to their...

Members of the Evins Volunteer Council and Tamayo Halfway House-Volunteer Resource Council for Valley Youth met recently to change their by-laws to incorporate Tamayo House youth also as part of the Evins Council’s mission.  Standing back row left to right are Evins Council Members; Ignacio Estorga, Larry Keatts, Johnny Rodriguez (Vice-President), and Raul Arredondo (President).  Front row left to right is Dr. Kathy Dittman (Tamayo Council-Treasurer), and Evins Council Members, Leo Rodriguez, Irma Guzman and Ricardo Garcia.  The Evins Volunteer Council is an IRS non-profit, 501 (C) 3 organization and is incorporated with the State of Texas.

May has been a big month for TJJD.  We completed our first site visit at Giddings for the Youth In Custody Practice Model (YICPM).  It was great having the YICPM consulting team of Ned Loughran with the Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators, Shay Bilchek and Michael Umpierre with the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, and Kelly Dedel with One in 37 Research, Inc., on campus and meeting with our implementation team.  Giddings staff were gracious hosts and the time was well spent.  I am extremely excited about the opportunity the YICPM brings to TJJD.  This will give us a proactive chance to thoroughly examine ourselves to create safer campuses, help kids be more successful, become more cohesive and collaborative as an agency and establish a more positive culture.  Self-examination is never easy, but the result is worth it.  I look forward to the next 18 months. Our Capstone Project continues to move forward with the Ron Jackson and Gaines...

PHOTO: (From left to right):  Giddings State School Assistant Superintendent April Hannah, Kelly Dedel, TJJD Program Supervisor Debra Blackman, Shay Bilchik (Center for Juvenile Justice Reform), Ned Loughran (Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators), and Michael Umpierre (Center for Juvenile Justice Reform). The Youth In Custody Practice Model (YICPM) officially kicked off on May 3-4, 2016 as four nationally recognized juvenile justice experts gathered at the Giddings State School to meet with TJJD’s core project staff and tour the facility. The YICPM consulting team was comprised of: Ned Loughran (Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators); Shay Bilchik (Center for Juvenile Justice Reform); Michael Umpierre (Center for Juvenile Justice Reform); and Kelly Dedel (One in 37 Research, Inc). The YICPM consultants and subject matter experts will assist TJJD with 18 months of training and technical assistance to align core, research-based principles with every...

TJJD would like to recognize the following employees who have received a tenure award since February 2016. On behalf of the agency, we extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and service to the State of Texas. February 2016 Five Years of Service Debra G. Foster, Gainesville Andrea G. Brazell, McLennan CSJCF Brandon E. Spears, McLennan RTC Ron’Neshia D. Spears, McLennan RTC Maria A. Muhammad, Cottrell HWH Mario Ramirez York, HWH Ten Years of Service Robin C. Motley, Gainesville Debra A. Sullivent, Giddings Jimmy W. Loewe, Giddings Raul De La Torre, Evins Stephanie A. Allen, McLennan CSJCF Timothy A. Redic, McLennan RTC Christi R. Villegas, Dallas Distict Office Fifteen Years of Service Donna L. Box, Ron Jackson Twenty Years of Service Cristopher L Burton, Austin (State Programs & Facilities) William L. George, Ron Jackson Joe I. Barraza, Evins Twenty-five Years of Service Venita Y. Foran, Gainesville Mary L. Mahon, Giddings Richard C. Anderso...

Willoughby House hosted its first open house for institution and parole staff. “We really had a nice turnout, despite the inclement weather,” said Superintendent Diane Eunice. “Our goal is to host an open house quarterly, so that staff from other TJJD facilities can get firsthand knowledge and learn about our programs and get to know us on an individual basis by putting a face to a name, since most of our interactions are done via phone.” In addition to refreshments, visitors received a facility data sheet that provides a picture of Willoughby and a few historical facts and details about services provided. The event was attended by staff from Mart, Giddings, Fort Worth District Office, Dallas District Office and a staff from Cottrell House. Assistant Superintendent Felicia Reynolds said, “We’re already in the planning stages for our next open house event! We appreciated the staff from Mart bringing a youth with them, to give him a glimpse of what is in store for him, as he contin...