Skip to main content

Advisory Council Gets New Chair

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 is a board member with the Texas Juvenile Detention Association, where he represents TJDA as Co-Chair on a Joint Legislative Committee in partnership with the Texas Probation Association and the Juvenile Justice Association of Texas – advocating for Juvenile Justice at the Texas State Legislature.   He is actively involved in his local community serving on the Board of Directors of the Brazos Valley Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse.  He additionally serves as a community volunteer with both the United Way of the Brazos Valley as well as with Crestview Senior Retirement Center.


In addition to his juvenile probation work, Doug has also served as an Adjunct Professor in the Criminal Justice Department at Sam Houston State University.  He also produces and hosts a weekly talk radio show aired each Friday evening on KEOS 89.1 FM radio in College Station, Texas in which he discusses an array of issues and topics that are of interest to children, families, and communities.


Doug has earned Bachelor’s Degrees in both Psychology and Secondary Education.  He obtained a Master’s Degree in Psychology from East Texas State University and earned his Doctoral Degree in Counseling /Psychology from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Popular posts from this blog

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. ...

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.