TJJD News & Announcements

TJJD would like to recognize the following employees who have received a tenure award since August 2016. On behalf of the agency, we extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and service to the State of Texas. August 2016 Five Years of Service Alejandro Moncivais, Evins Johanna Jimenez, Evins Johnathon J. White, Giddings Miguel A. Arigullin, Evins Patricia L. Galindo, Evins Ten Years of Service Bernice Alfaro, McLennan CSJCF Bertha M. Huggins, Ron Jackson Carl L. Taylor, McLennan Phoenix Carla A. Bennett, McLennan CSJCF James . Rogers, McLennan Phoenix Marybel Sanchez, Austin (General Counsel) Monique L. Henderson, McLennan CSJCF Serena Madlock, Brownwood HWH Fifteen Years of Service Dominga T. Garcia, Giddings Galina Stepanova, Austin (Finance) Robbie L. Stork, Giddings Sydney C. Falke, Giddings Twenty Years of Service Juan J. Quiroga Evins Lysandria L. Haywood, McLennan CSJCF Melissa K. Ferguson, Ron Jackson Susan R. Lang, McLennan CSJCF Todd M. N...

As many of you are aware, Texas Administrative Code Chapter 341 pertaining to General Standards for Juvenile Probation Departments has recently been amended as recommended by the TJJD Advisory Council’s "Standards Committee" to become effective January 1, 2017. While each subsection of Chapter 341 was scrutinized and amended as deemed appropriate, for this article, I would like to focus specifically on the philosophical tenets behind the changes to case management and how those changes should help improve youth outcomes across the state.   The goal of the Standards Committee was to revise case management in such a manner as to adhere to current research and best practices, while at the same time making it an easy-to-use, easy-to-understand, and invaluable tool in helping to foster improved youth outcomes across the state.   The Committee believed that case plans should be built, in large part, from the criminogenic findings indicated on a validated risk/need instr...

On August 27th, Giddings State School hosted the Annual TJJD softball Tournament at Giddings, Texas. Despite a difficult start, with teams battling wet fields, humidity, and mosquitos, all teams brought their best. Congratulations to the Evins team who took first place, the Ron Jackson team who took second, and the Mart and Giddings teams who came in third and fourth respectively. The day was more than just a game or tournament; it was a chance for coworkers to come together and get to know each other outside of work. "It was a long day, but the memories that formed along with the new friendships…priceless," said JCO IV and Giddings tournament organizer Julius Castillo. The Giddings State School Staff Quality Improvement Group (SQIG) was on site keeping everyone’s thirsts quenched and bellies satiated with a full concession stand serving drinks, nachos, sausage wraps, and other game time favorites. PHOTO: The Giddings Indians staff softball team displays thei...

Gainesville State School celebrated this year’s Homecoming with a pep rally in the campus gym and halftime activities at their final football game. Gainesville High School demonstrated their kindness and generosity as they allowed the State School youth to use their beautiful stadium. To top off the festivities, the Gainesville Tornadoes won the game, defeating Chico 32-27. This year’s homecoming was a special one with retired staff and successful alumni joining the festivities. They had returned to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the facility. The homecoming court consisted of five seniors. They were given the traditional armbands made from garters decorated with bells, miniature helmets, footballs, players, and ribbons. The Student Council and staff provided music, skits, and entertainment at the pep rally. Coach Henry Thomas delivered his annual address and reminded the team to believe in themselves. Youth Zachary sang a beautiful rendition of the National A...

The Juvenile Justice Training Academy has worked diligently over the last year with the Regional Training Officers, other statewide stakeholders, and the Correctional Management Institute of Texas (CMIT) to develop an automated competency exam for applicants seeking certification as a juvenile probation officer. Beginning September 1, 2016, all individuals seeking a new certification as a juvenile probation officer are required to successfully pass the automated JPO Certification Exam prior to being certified by TJJD. TJJD worked in partnership with CMIT and two urban departments to pilot the exam over a five-month period. A total of 52 people took the test during the pilot, equating to 22% of the total number of new JPO certifications from last fiscal year. The pilot allowed TJJD to gather data to adequately address major issues before the exam went live statewide. The exam is comprised of 60 total questions. Twenty questions are the same for each exam and were determined t...

The Potter’s House of Fort Worth graciously hosted the 2016 Willoughby House Family Day event on Saturday, July 23. An impressive turn out of the Deacon Board and TJJD volunteers and mentors helped make the day a success. Youth and family members enjoyed the festive atmosphere, played games and had a picnic lunch. Volunteer Mentor and Fort Worth Resource Council for Youth member Latasha Walker conducted a mini workshop on communication skills and Parole Officer Jeffrey Manuel shared with youth and parents the rules of parole.

The McFadden Ranch Book Club, begun in July by Superintendent Jimmie Prince, has spurred great interest among the youth. The club meets weekly, when they discuss their current book selection and also watch the movie made from that book to determine the differences and similarities between the book and the movie. So far, youth have read The Boy in The Striped Pajamas by John Boyne, Holes by Louis Sachar, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, and they’re currently reading The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. One youth discovered that sometimes the characters don’t look as they were described or even imagined in the book. He said that in Holes , the main character is fat in the book but he’s not fat in the movie. The books come from the Lewisville Library which puts together "Book Kits" for all ages. The kits consist of four to six copies of a book and a study guide. Superintendent Prince checks out the Book Kit and Volunteer and Reading Tutor Barbara Sut...

In August, TJJD purchasers attended the eighth annual Artie Lee Hinds Award Dinner hosted by Texas Institute for Blind and Handicapped (TIBH). More than 400 guests were at the event, including 43 award nominees, their family, and friends. Those in attendance recognized TIBH, its Community Rehabilitation Program and their employees for their contributions to the Texas State Use Program. For the third consecutive year, TJJD was recognized as being in the top 10 of all state agencies as having the highest dollar amount of purchases through the State set aside program from TIBH. TJJD is in an elite group that included some very large agencies (TxDOT, DSHS, DARS, TDCJ, and TCEQ). Congratulations to TJJD’s purchasing staff for working hard this past year to keep us in the top 10.