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SPOTLIGHT: Lisa Tomlinson, Director of Juvenile Services/Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, Johnson and Somervell Counties

What led you to your career in juvenile justice?

I would say God did. As a child my father was an attorney, and a district attorney for part of my life. I enjoyed being in the courtroom with him and talking to him about cases. I knew I wanted to be in the courtroom in some form. I was originally hoping to go to law school, but was a single mom at the time. I continued my CJ course work and when I took my first juvenile justice class at University of Texas in El Paso, I was hooked. I knew then that I wanted to work with kids.

What types of facilities do you operate?

I do not currently operate any facility. However in the past, I operated the Juvenile Detention Facility in Grayson County. Currently in Johnson County we do not have our own facility and have to contract for beds.

What programs do you feel have proven most successful?

I really like the Youth Advocate Program. We have contracted with them for several years now and I do feel our kids get a lot from the mentors assigned to them. I also like a meeting that started years ago with CPS and Adult Probation. We meet monthly to discuss the many cases we have in common. It has built positive relationships with the different agencies and ultimately helped the families and kids.

What do you see as the biggest challenges for juvenile justice in Texas?

Being soaked up into a “TYC” minded system. What I mean by that is when the agencies consolidated, TJPC or probation was supposed to be at the forefront. It seems every year as the agency continues that probation is being pushed further and further back and putting more and more on the counties. A term emerged in the last legislative session of “basic probation” and I wanted a definition of what that meant. That is the most difficult thing to do with the size of counties, the services offered or not offered. I never want to be offering “basic” anything to kids who need more.

Are there any changes that you are considering in your county?

Well, not now with retirement, but I hope and pray that services to youth at the local level will be priority to whoever takes my place.

What do you want others to know about your department?

I have the best staff in the world!! They care, period! They care about kids and families that no one else does. They want the best for each child and family and they want each child to be successful. We are fairly small with only about 20 people total, but we are MIGHTY! We also do something that I am especially proud of - we pray for each other, families, kids, or anyone else at each staff meeting.

How will you spend your time once you retire?

Well, not exactly sure yet. Going to take a little down time first to reflect. Then I will attempt selling real estate. I got my license earlier this year and wanted to try it. Now I will have that opportunity.

What has been the best part of your job?

My Juvenile Board, my staff and seeing even the small successes in the kids we serve.

What advice would you give to a young new juvenile justice professional?

Don’t expect big money, and only expect small rewards. Hang onto those small rewards, they will keep you on track. Show respect to everyone you meet. Don’t judge just work with them. Find the child inside the kid sitting in front of you – don’t just look at the offense – they deserve more than that. Remember what it was like to be a child yourself. If you don’t remember, just ask your parents – they are more than willing to share.

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