TJJD News & Announcements

Guadalupe County Juvenile Probation Officer Guadalupe “Lupe” Facundo passed away in April in a car accident.  The following obituary ran commemorating her life and service: “Msgt. Guadalupe “Lupe” Facundo, USAF Retired, passed away on April 11, 2016 at the age of 60 in Cibolo, TX. She was born September 16, 1955 in San Marcos, TX to Pedro Facundo and Maria Mosqueda. She was raised in San Marcos and assisted with raising her younger siblings before graduating from San Marcos High School in 1974. In January 1977, Lupe joined the United States Air Force where she proudly served for 20 years.  After retiring from the Air Force in 1997, she continued her life of service. She joined the Schertz Police Department as a reserve police officer, the Comal County Sheriff’s Officer as a deputy jailer and in late 2000 joined the Guadalupe County Juvenile Services Department in the Schertz and Seguin offices as a juvenile probation officer where she was currently employed. She was as...

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.

DeWitt County Juvenile Probation Chief Ernest Sertuche passed away in April.  The following article appeared in the Victoria Advocate: ‘He believed everybody had a second chance’ YORKTOWN - Ernest Sertuche struggled with drug and alcohol problems after he was injured in the oil field, becoming addicted to pain medicine and then other drugs. But despite his troubles, he managed to turn his life around, get an education and help change the lives of troubled teens. The chief probation officer for the DeWitt County Juvenile Probation office died April 15 in his sleep after a brief illness. He was 58. He had served with the department for 15 years, the last 10 as chief. He brought to his job not only his passion to help troubled youth but his experience as one as well. “He would tell those kids, ‘You can’t bullsh-- a bullsh---er. I know. I’ve been there,’” said Sertuche’s wife, Nelda. “He believed everybody had a second chance,” she said. The two celebrated their 40th ...

TJJD would like to recognize the following employees who have received a tenure award since April 2016. On behalf of the agency, we extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and service to the State of Texas. April 2016 Five Years of Service Margaret D. Askey, Austin (Probation and Community Services) Lillian C. Bell, Gainesville Jennifer L. Eyle,r Giddings Shanetra D. Gertman, Giddings Marlon G. Womack, McLennan Phoenix Linda E. Martinez, Ron Jackson Ten Years of Service Tonya A. Gonzalez, Austin (Finance) Jose L. Maltos, Evins Maria De Lourdes Carrizales, Evins Becky L. Moore, McFadden Ranch Commy D. Johnson, McLennan RTC Jason E. Waller, McLennan RTC Dixie B. Hewitt, Ron Jackson Kim L. Adams, Ron Jackson Roberto Hernandez, Ron Jackson Sherry L. Carter, Ron Jackson Fifteen Years of Service Tammy A. Horton, Brownwood HWH Lutitia Williams, McLennan CSJCF Cynthia L. Larson, Ron Jackson Dellandra L. Oshodi, Willoughby HWH Twenty Years of Service Roxa...

Willoughby House youth were given an opportunity to tour the local television station, KTVT CBS Channel 11, and learn first-hand what goes on behind the scenes. The youth toured the broadcasting room, dressing room for the news casters, media room, audio/video room and different offices. They also learned about the different job duties and work schedules, the procedures to follow when someone calls and reports news and the importance of reporters to be the first to get to a scene and broadcast the news first. Superintendent Diane Eunice said, “This was an exciting community outing for the youth because it exposed them to what a career in broadcasting and journalism could possibly look like and the hard work that goes into being an anchor, reporter, camera operator, and other jobs.  They learned that it’s not just all glamour and being on television, but it involves a lot of preparation.” One youth shared that he thought it was so cool to meet a guy whose main  job is k...

Cottrell House youth turned their focus to helping those in the community most in need of a helping hand as part of their Global Youth Service Day activities.  As they considered the homeless people in their community and their daily struggle, they decided that they could help provide them with a sense of worth and know that they are not alone.  The youth made 55 gift bags filled with water, towels, granola bars, chips, tooth paste and tooth brushes, Christian literature and resource information. Youth thought about friends that they knew that were homeless and things that could have helped them. While they understood that the items in the bags were not going to solve the issue of homelessness, the youth wanted the homeless to know that someone truly cares about them.  Youth delivered the items to the Salvation Army and received a tour of their facility to learn about the different programs available to help the homeless. Youth were amazed at how many individuals are ...

Numerous national studies have noted the positive benefits of mentoring relationships for at-risk and juvenile justice-involved youth.  TJJD has utilized mentors with its youth since the 1990s with strong evidence of the benefits of these relationships. Mentoring can take place in a TJJD facility, halfway house, or on parole. Mentoring involves a responsible adult volunteer visiting a youth one-on-one, ideally for 4-8 hours per month for a minimum of six months.  Mentors are expected to focus on establishing a positive relationship, helping with goal setting, obtaining resources, and increasing a youth’s social skills. The mentoring program aims to develop a youth’s self-confidence and help a youth discover his/her strengths through a trusting, supportive relationship. Faith mentoring has an additional component emphasizing personal spiritual growth. Religious principals provide the foundation for faith mentoring sessions. Mentors are primarily recruited by Community Relatio...