MART, Texas – Juvenile Justice Training Academy trainer Terry Williams took a break from teaching staff in the classroom to teach CPR to youth in TJJD’s Capstone Project at McLennan County Juvenile Correctional Facility. Mr. Williams has been an employee with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department for over 33 years and sees great value in the opportunity to utilize his passion for teaching others beyond the scope of training staff. “Teaching these kids skills that could potentially save lives is another great way the agency is making a positive impact toward empowering our youth to return back to the community and help others,” says Williams. The Capstone Project is an agency wide initiative implemented at each of the five secure facility locations to assist youth with skills necessary to successfully transition back to the community and achieve long-term positive outcomes. The program targets leadership, social, life and job skill development based on the youth’s specific risk factors.
Dozens of young people are graduating at TJJD’s Lone Star high schools this spring – and two will receive a special recognition for having earned a “distinguished” academic diploma. Giddings State School spring 2019 graduation in April. All the TJJD graduates can rejoice in their accomplishments. Many of these youth were able to turn-around what had been a spotty or interrupted school record, fill in the gaps, and secure either their high school diploma or graduate equivalency certificate. Others were doing well in their home high school and simply crossed the finish line at TJJD. The two graduates receiving the special honor this graduation season attained a Distinguished Level of Achievement under the Texas Foundation High School program by completing advanced courses that exceeded those required for a high school diploma. These two young men, one at the McLennan County State Correctional Facility and the other at the Evins Juvenile Correctional Center sho...
