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A Message From the Director

Happy new year to each of you. The 85th Legislative Session has begun and lawmakers have already begun meeting on a number of priority items. In addition to juvenile justice issues that are important to us all, a primary focus will be on the state’s budget. Recent estimates by the Comptroller have revealed that lawmakers will have approximately $104.87 billion of revenue available for state services during the next biennium, or about $3 billion less than the previous biennium. We should see the introduced state-wide budget very soon and, while it is informative, it is only a starting point. Although the budget will be tight, I continue to be optimistic in the Legislature’s support of TJJD, our county probation partners and for our future. The process is long and we will not know the outcome for quite some time.

I am pleased to welcome new board members to TJJD’s leadership. At the same time, we will certainly feel the loss of four very special former members whose terms have expired – Jane King, Dr. Rene Olvera, Laura Parker and Calvin Stephens. These four have been a part of the TJJD board since the agency’s creation in 2011. They served during a time of consolidation and transition and have provided guidance, oversight, passion and leadership. Their work has often been arduous and unrecognized by those outside the juvenile justice system. Through their efforts, TJJD has implemented numerous improvements and has achieved a greater stability. On behalf of the agency’s staff, please accept my sincere thanks for your service to TJJD and the youth of our state.

Each January, TJJJD joins with the rest of our nation in celebrating National Mentoring Month. Mentors have a profound and transformative role in the lives of each young person they assist. TJJD’s mentors work with youth who are often very difficult to reach. This month, 125 youth are matched with mentors, approximately 7 percent of our total youth population. Since FY 2014, 815 youth have been matched with a mentor with 369 youth having a mentor match lasting 180 days or more. Youth with long-term mentor matches have significantly better outcomes than their peers without mentors, with lower recidivism rates and great academic achievement. TJJD is especially grateful to all our mentors and we are seeking additional fund to help us bolster our mentorship program. It is also rewarding to see that many of our county partners across the state, from Angelina to Cameron to Dallas to Williamson and many more, have mentor programs that enrich their youth and programs.

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