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:
TJJD has also enhanced or developed new Daily Observation Reports for each module. This was a collaborative effort between the Juvenile Justice Training Academy (JJTA) and the Field Training Officers (FTOs) with the desire to make a more efficient process for incoming staff.
In response to feedback received for additional coaching and mentoring within the first year of employment, the JJTA worked with the FTOs and the JCO supervisors to establish an additional 55 hours of on-the-job training within the first six months of being approved for sole supervision. The training will be specific to the most critical needs determined by each facility. The supervisors will also be responsible for doing a satisfaction assessment with each new JCO within the same six-month period.
For case managers, new material was developed and includes 26 modules that cover approximately 60 hours of on-the-job training. This was a joint effort with the JJTA, however, completed largely in part by Specialized Treatment staff Crystal Drew and Emily Shaw.
A Training for Trainers was provided for both the JCO and case manager on-the-job training. The agency looks forward to assessing the intended outcome of further developing staff competencies and identifying whether it is assisting with reducing turnover, lowering the number of incidents, and better integrating new hire staff into a facility environment.
For more information, please contact Kristy Almager at 512.490.7125 or Kristy.Almager@tjjd.texas.gov or Chris Ellison at 512.490.7245 or Chris.Ellison@tjjd.texas.gov
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 Control
TJJD has also enhanced or developed new Daily Observation Reports for each module. This was a collaborative effort between the Juvenile Justice Training Academy (JJTA) and the Field Training Officers (FTOs) with the desire to make a more efficient process for incoming staff.
In response to feedback received for additional coaching and mentoring within the first year of employment, the JJTA worked with the FTOs and the JCO supervisors to establish an additional 55 hours of on-the-job training within the first six months of being approved for sole supervision. The training will be specific to the most critical needs determined by each facility. The supervisors will also be responsible for doing a satisfaction assessment with each new JCO within the same six-month period.
For case managers, new material was developed and includes 26 modules that cover approximately 60 hours of on-the-job training. This was a joint effort with the JJTA, however, completed largely in part by Specialized Treatment staff Crystal Drew and Emily Shaw.
A Training for Trainers was provided for both the JCO and case manager on-the-job training. The agency looks forward to assessing the intended outcome of further developing staff competencies and identifying whether it is assisting with reducing turnover, lowering the number of incidents, and better integrating new hire staff into a facility environment.
For more information, please contact Kristy Almager at 512.490.7125 or Kristy.Almager@tjjd.texas.gov or Chris Ellison at 512.490.7245 or Chris.Ellison@tjjd.texas.gov