TJJD News & Announcements

Two distinct "houses" are on display in Denison, Texas as the Grayson County Department of Juvenile Services continues to provide opportunities for its youth. The Department’s Victor House, a 2015 addition to the county’s post adjudication program, provides a new housing option for post adjudication youth. Residents that exhibit positive behavior can apply for assignment to Victor, which provides a less restrictive environment. Victor House provides a therapeutic homelike environment, with open meeting rooms, study areas, an open kitchen and dorm rooms. The walls are decorated with colorful artwork, all produced by the youth who live there. As an alternative program track, the Victor House emphasizes learning and interactions between staff and residents as well as independent living. The focus is on developing traits like positive leadership principles, personal accountability, and independent living skills. The residents will also have the opportunity to partic...

TJJD would like to recognize the following employees who have received a tenure award since July 2016. On behalf of the agency, we extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and service to the State of Texas. July 2016 Five Years of Service Alicia L. Sorrells, Austin Amy L. Burns, Gainesville Gita Upreti, Austin Julius Castillo, Giddings Ten Years of Service Agnes L. Gray, Giddings Daniel L. Newton, Ron Jackson Gavin P. Wallace, Giddings Ismelda K. Huerta, Evins Marian I. Jost, Austin Mildred R. Watkins, McLennan RTC Randy Sterling, McLennan Phoenix Teodulo P. Rios, McFadden Ranch Willie R. Brown, Schaeffer HWH Fifteen Years of Service Carla D. Garza, Gainesville Cheryl Shabazz, McLennan RTC Janet Washington, McLennan RTC Jason D. Holle, McLennan CSJCF Joe D. Petree, Gainesville Lloyd . Serna, Evins Marcus T. Jones, Houston DO Maria M. Jarvis, Gainesville Twenty Years of Service Alisa J. Simmons, Mc Lennan CSJCF Becky W. Woodruff, Ron Jackson ...

Harris County Juvenile Probation recently received technical assistance through the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention for a Train the Trainer on a curriculum entitled Towards Equity. Toward Equity is a 25-hour curriculum specifically designed for juvenile justice professionals and provides comprehensive, interactive training lessons designed to increase competence about sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, while providing practitioners with increased knowledge, tools, and resources for working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth in the juvenile justice system.  TJJD was able to send two staff to attend the Train the Trainer to become certified in training the curriculum.  TJJD will explore ways on how we can implement all or part of the curriculum to both TJJD staff and probation personnel.  The Juvenile Justice Training Academy will provide a formal announcement once the curriculum is able to be implemented. For mor...

Delegates from the thirteen community resource councils that are affiliated with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department met on May 6 to elect new officers for the State Volunteer Resource Council for Texas Youth. Incumbent officers President Glen Hilton, Vice-President Raul Arredondo, Treasurer Wachelle Williams, and Member-at-Large Glenn Faulk were reelected for another term of service. Juan Quintanilla, a delegate from the Volunteer Council for Texas Youth in San Antonio, was elected as the State Council’s Secretary for a two-year term. Out-going Secretary Sandra Willard, of the McLennan County Community Resource Council, was presented a plaque recognizing her three years of service on the State Council’s executive committee. Sandra will continue to serve on the McLennan County Council that provides support and activities at the McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility. The State Volunteer Resource Council was established to support a network of local community reso...

TJJD halfway houses encourage youth to take part in community activities and services.  Many youth at the Schaeffer House in El Paso elect to attend worship services at different denominations in the community.  In May, several youth chose to be baptized during services at Friendship Baptist Church.

Youth from the Gainesville State School recently participated in the United Way Day of Caring. Youth were chosen to participate in two projects. One was in Valley View, Texas, where youth painted all the metal work at the community park. They were able to give the park a fresh new look in record time! Youth also traveled to Lindsey, Texas, where they created five new flower beds. These beds are being planted with flowers and shrubs that attract butterflies. These new butterfly gardens are the talk of the town.

Red Nose Day was celebrated by the Ron Jackson Orientation and Assessment Unit May 26, 2016.  The money raised through Red Nose Day will help transform the lives of children living in poverty in the U.S. and internationally and supports projects that ensure kids are safe, healthy, and educated.  It’s a day to be silly and celebrate changing lives. PHOTO: Top Row Left to Right: Regina Cunningham, Thelma Rodriguez, John Williams; Middle Row Left to Right: Katherine “Nikki” Brown, De Lana Smethers, Ruth Thompson, Karen Trevino, Cheryl Crawford, Guillermina Nieto, Wade Desemar, Elizabeth Rodriguez; Sitting Left to Right: Michael Montgomery, Theresia Balfour and Kegan Oliver

TJJD has implemented a series of new courses designed to assist staff with additional tools to aid in the successful performance of their jobs.  The Juvenile Justice Training Academy (JJTA) will offer Gang Awareness and Grooming to both TJJD staff and probation personnel.  Suicide Prevention and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury is specifically targeted to TJJD staff, however, a revised version is currently being developed for probation personnel.  These courses will be implemented to all new and tenured staff. Gang Awareness was developed by the JJTA with the assistance of Office of Inspector General and State Programs and Facilities.  This course provides a basic overview of gangs and gang-related behavior, including components of gang membership. Using scenario-based training, it allows participants to determine whether youth behavior is reportable as gang membership or activity.   The course also outlines reporting requirements for suspected gang activity....

The City of Corpus Christi hosted its annual city-wide event “Beach to Bay Marathon Race” this past May.  The rainy conditions didn’t keep away the runners, volunteers, staff and youth from York House who succeeded in cleaning up the five-acre area along the beach in record time.  This annual event brought in $1500 to the Corpus Christi Community Resource Council for Texas Youth to support TJJD youth at York House.