Taking PAWS To a National Stage

By Cris Burton
(TJJD’s Cris Burton was invited to present the Pairing Achievement With Service program at the American Correctional Association at the organization’s August 2016 meeting in Boston. The following is his report on the presentation.)

"The 146th National Congress of the American Correctional Association has accepted your proposal."

If you would have told me this when Holli Fenton and I started PAWS in 2010, I would have said you were not playing with a full deck. But, in 2016, this is now a reality. The chance to talk about PAWS on a national stage and to colleagues in the field of corrections was an honor and somewhat overwhelming. When I think about what it took to get here, it is and continues to be an incredible journey. The ACA conference in Boston was certainly a pinnacle experience. One highlight of the conference was the opening Keynote from Governor Charlie Baker and guest speaker journalist David Gergen. Both had insightful comments on the corrections industry and on the current political atmosphere.

The PAWS workshop, "Canine Programs in Juvenile Justice," was well received. There was a wide range of attendees from counselors and social workers to wardens. All had some familiarity with canine programs and the wardens, in particular, from Alabama and Georgia, were already running adult canine programs. Many had questions about juveniles working with dogs. Some of the comments ranged from, "Everyone should attend this presentation," to "We need more presentations on Juvenile Justice." Everyone in attendance seemed to agree that the PAWS program is unique in that PAWS has an intentional therapeutic design, where other canine programs tend to concentrate on the outcomes of the dogs, especially in the adult programs.

As the journey continues, there are too many to name for the success. Much, if not most, of the credit has to go to Holli Fenton and the incredible staff at Ron Jackson that have hung in there over the last six years and have made PAWS the success it is today. Also, Deidre Reece and the staff who are just getting started at Gainesville are doing a great job continuing the PAWS legacy.

Look for PAWS at the upcoming Texas Correctional Association (TCA) Conference December 1-2, 2016 in Round Rock and at the Counsel for Juvenile Corrections Administrators (CJCA) in association with the ACA Winter Conference in San Antonio, January 22, 2017.

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.

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