TJJD News & Announcements

AUSTIN, Texas – TJJD would like to recognize the following employees who have received a tenure award since December 2016. On behalf of the agency, we extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and service to the State of Texas. December 2016 FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE George N. Ervin Jr., Gainesville Larry D. Jackson, Gainesville Brent L. Baker, McLennan TEN YEARS OF SERVICE Michel Brown, Cottrell HWH Jeffery J. Johnson, McLennan Dilcy A. Freeman, Ron Jackson Anton L. Boweware, McLennan Kala T. Green, Giddings FIFTEEN YEARS OF SERVICE Tonya K. Mason, Brownwood HWH Wanona Posas, Giddings TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE Patricia O. Daniels, Giddings Nydia D. Thomas, Austin–General Counsel Monica L. Harrison, Giddings Vincent T. Hornsby, McLennan Marina M. Vidaurri, McLennan Martin A. Gilbert, Cottrell HWH Calvin B. Washington, Giddings Juan J. Najera, Gainesville Israel Cantu, Tamayo HWH TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE Brenda C. Fowler, Gainesv...

HORSESHOE BAY, Texas – On February 27-March 1, the Juvenile Law Section of the State Bar of Texas sponsored the 30th Annual Juvenile Law Conference in Horseshoe Bay. TJJD’s Juvenile Justice Training Academy coordinated the conference in partnership with the Juvenile Law Section and welcomed approximately 400 juvenile justice professionals from across the state. The agenda focused on the 50th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case In Re: Gault and was specifically designed to give practitioners the latest and most pertinent information relevant to juvenile justice in Texas. During the conference, distinguished professionals presented on various topics that benefited all facets of professionals wanting to enhance the juvenile justice system. Collectively, speakers demonstrated great passion and enthusiasm in their ability to share their knowledge and expertise. For the third year, the Juvenile Law Section hosted disciplinary caucuses with facilitated discussion. These caucus...

AUSTIN, Texas – TJJD began piloting the juvenile supervision officer certification exam. The pilot will be conducted over a six-month period and the exam will not be required for certification until September 1, 2017. TJJD worked with the Regional Training Officers statewide, along with the Chapter 344 subgroup of the Advisory Council, to develop the first of three rounds of questions that will be used for the new automated exam. The purpose of the pilot is similar to the JPO certification exam and provides an opportunity to gain statistics on wording, timing, appropriateness of questions, etc. During the pilot, TJJD will switch out 50 questions at a time, each for two months, over the six-month period (for a total of potentially 150 questions that will be in the pool of questions). TJJD will send another email in April when the next group of 50 questions is piloted. The JSO exam will be a 50-question test with multiple choice, true/false and matching questions. The JSO exam is a ...

HOUSTON, Texas – Current and former TJJD youth participated at a panel discussion at Texas Southern University, sharing their life stories and testimonies of how they overcame their past. The panel was part of a Youth Drug Prevention Seminar which featured a screening of the documentary film “Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict.” Pictured from left to right are: Houston District Office Parole Officer L’ Sandra Tutson, Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments staff member Krystin Porter, Houston District Office Family & Community Relations Coordinator Sherrell D. Kivumbi, current TJJD youth DP, and former youth EG and LJ.

DALLAS, Texas – Cottrell House youth recently had the rare opportunity to provide guidance to future juvenile justice workers currently studying at the University of Texas at Arlington. TJJD youth eagerly participated in a learning session, making an impact with people who are interested in helping juveniles make better decisions. The Cottrell House youth provided the UTA students with background information on why youth commit crimes. Youth informed students that committing crimes is a learned behavior, usually from family members or friends. Youth CG encouraged students remain positive and be patient when working with juveniles. Youth DJ told students that he has made positive changes to his life and now he is ready to go home. He says that he has learned to control himself and think before he acts. DJ told the group that he plans on joining the military once he is released from TJJD. Youth JL told students that he made several mistakes in the past by not listening to the peo...

AUSTIN, Texas – TJJD’s Juvenile Justice Training Academy (JJTA) recently adopted a new Training Procedure Manual as well as revisions to the Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual as it relates to TJJD employees and their supervisors knowing and adhering to training-related requirements. TJJD provides training for employees to meet state and federal laws and to ensure that employees are successful in the performance of their job duties. Highlights of these new policies include: Identifying specific responsibilities of the JJTA, a TJJD employee, and their supervisor. Describing the process for establishing that an employee has sole-supervision status. Defining the competency threshold for considering a staff to successfully complete a course to include a score of 70% or higher, for written tests, except for CRP, first aid, and AED, which require a score of 80% or higher; or a demonstration of competency of the required skills, as determined by the training specialist, for hands-on te...

AUSTIN, Texas – TJJD’s Juvenile Justice Training Academy (JJTA) recently released revised curriculum for three mandatory topics to be used for juvenile probation and supervision officer basic training. The new materials include the full curriculum on Officer Safety and Mechanical Restraints, Customized Case Design, and Suicide Prevention and Intervention . The JJTA worked with the regional training officers, select field subject matter experts and internal technical authorities for input and review of the approved material. This new material should be used when training officers for certification. Officer Safety and Mechanical Restraints is a 3.5 hour course that provides an overview of safety considerations when supervising juveniles in and out of an office setting. Participants will examine the proper application of mechanical restraints via scenario-based learning. This course is intended for juvenile probation officers. Customized Case Design is a 5.5 hour course that c...

By Doug Vance, PhD, Advisory Council Chair AUSTIN, Texas – Many readers may recall when the TJJD Mental Health Grant (Grant N) was first made available during the FY 2014-2015 Biennium. The purpose was to provide funding to juvenile probation departments in order to increase mental health services and to supplement existing mental health services to juveniles. What readers may not be aware of however, is the vitally important role the Advisory Council played in helping establish the need for this funding, which is – “The Rest of The Story.” In 2013, in order to help juvenile probation departments justify a need for mental health funding, the Advisory Council was asked to develop a comprehensive description of children with mental illness in the juvenile justice system. The assignment was given to the Advisory Council’s Mental Health Committee chaired by Doug Vance, and consisting of members Carrie Barden, Randy Turner, Mark Williams, and their TJJD Chief Financial Officer Bill ...

AUSTIN, Texas – The Family Supports Department has obtained a new strategy to keep families informed of happenings in the agency. A family newsletter is being published on a quarterly basis. The first edition was released in July of 2016. Departments from across the agency are providing information that is helping families stay connected to their youth. The newsletter is available on the TJJD webpage and is mailed to each youth’s home address. The newsletter is entitled The Family Connection and is published in English and Spanish. The link to the English copy of the newsletter is accessed at the bottom of the Family Services page using the link below. www.tjjd.texas.gov/programs/family_support_services.aspx

AUSTIN, Texas – TJJD targeted an on-going effort to enhance new hire and professional development among direct care staff. In January, the agency implemented new or substantially revised on-the-job training (OJT) modules for juvenile correctional officers (JCO) and case managers. The goals of the new curricula were to establish a consistent pattern for on-the-job training from facility to facility and to enhance the quality of material by making it practical and relevant to what staff need to know in order to be successful in their day to day job. At the end of each module, both JCOs and case managers will be required to successfully demonstrate competency, proficiency, and performance before completing the program. For JCOs, approximately 112 hours of OJT is provided upon hire. The new or rewritten classroom OJT modules include: Creating Opportunities for Successful Youth Outcomes Emergency Situations Managing the Dorm Professional Conduct in the Workplace Security and Contro...