TJJD Hosts Legislative Open House at Giddings State School

GIDDINGS, Texas – On June 28, 2017, TJJD hosted a Legislative Open House at the Giddings State School. About 40 guests converged on the campus to learn more about the work of TJJD and specifically about the Youth In Custody Practice Model and how it is being woven into facility operations. Guests were able to hear from the YICPM consultants, tour the facility, visit with youth and staff, and hear about how the YICPM will affect TJJD’s approach to serving youth in state facilities. It was a unique opportunity for Capitol office legislative staff and an elected official to see what the agency does, rather than simply hearing about it. Other guests included members of the Texas Juvenile Justice Board, a juvenile judge from Williamson County, the Independent Ombudsman, and representatives from partner agencies. Executive Director, David Reilly, said, “I believe that as more people ‘come and see,’ more will understand and fully support the work we do. This is in large part because guests can meet the facility staff and the youth that we serve. It’s the on-site and on the ground experience that makes all the difference.”

Guests toured several posts on campus, including the school, vocational programs, an area used for incentive activities, the newly established PAWS dorm and the security unit. They were led by facility staff and youth. Guests were also treated to lunch prepared by Principal Dennis Smith.

Staff from other facilities and around the agency also attended, to highlight the good work of each facility and several programs through informational booths that guests could visit throughout the day.

A lot of work went into planning this event and the list of people who contributed is long. They include Jorge Gonzalez, Charles Kelm, Anita Schwartz, Janet Sheelar, Frederick Horton, Dennis Smith, Donna Miller, Brenda Medack, Russell Falke, Wanona Posas, Eric Mattocks, Mark Satterwhite, Jason Stork, Tommy Ewing, Gary Clopton, Keith Kubena, Nathan Dunk, Calvin Berger, Wayne Rackel, James Mitschke, Steven Rackel, Carl Williams, Jerome Gordon, John Alamillo, Darla Michalk, David Groce, Chet Rittgers, Stephanie Collins, Boris Jumper, Thurman Sims, Monica Harrison, Barbara Moore, Tanya Ragston, Ramiro Hernandez, Terri Elliott, Olumide Ogunlabi, Victoria Evans, Ramiro Hernandez, Bennie Scott, Derrick Sneed, Ace Myrick, and Spencer Caldwell.

McFadden Sends Youth Home with Backpack of 'Hope'

By Y. Denise Caldwell Community Resource Coordinator, Northern District Parole Office FLOWER MOUND, Texas - Larry Bossaler, McFadden volunteer McFadden Ranch Volunteer Larry Bossaler enjoys his assignment: Making sure that every youth who leaves the McFadden halfway house knows that people are praying for him and wishing him the best in his future. He is the man who brings them their “Good-Bye” backpack. When he delivers the backpacks, he makes sure to do three things – visit with the youth, show the contents of the backpack (because staff put them in the lockers until the youth leaves), and lastly close the visit with a heartfelt prayer. The youth enjoy and appreciate the backpack, the visit and the prayer. Many are a little anxious and scared to leave but knowing that the McFadden volunteers care enough to send them off in this special way, helps them feel a bit less worried. “I always bring an extra backpack,” Larry said. ...

IN MEMORY AND APPRECIATION: Trayce Haynes Alexander

Trayce Haynes Alexander, of Cat Spring, Texas passed away in April. She was a JCO IV at the Giddings State School and began her employment with the Texas Youth Commission on January 5, 2009, as a JCO III. She was promoted to a JCO IV on April 1, 2010. Trayce was a hardworking, loyal and dedicated staff member and friend. Her number one priority was the youth in her dorm and she would drive one hour and forty minutes everyday (even in ill health) to try to make a difference in the lives of the youth she worked with. She was well respected by both staff and youth due to her extraordinary work ethic. The boys could always depend on her to hold them accountable. She is survived by her husband Geoff Alexander and two daughters, Kristyn and Robyn Alexander. Trayce was born on September 3, 1952. She earned a BS from Southwest Texas State University in Law Enforcement.

Canyon Lake Evening Reporting Center

When Comal County Juvenile Probation Chief Kris Johnson joined the department in March 2011, he brought with him a long-term vision to open an Evening Reporting Center (ERC) in the county. ERCs, which require youth offenders to report to specified locations during evening hours for programming, skills building and community service, were first used in Chicago, where juvenile justice advocates needed after school programs to keep their higher risk kids from getting involved in the gang scene. They also serve as an alternative to detention pending a youth’s hearings. ERCs have become common detention alternatives in many communities throughout the United States and are based on research and best practices recognized by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Johnson believed implementing an ERC in Comal County would reduce juvenile crime by providing supervision during the hours crime is most likely to occur. Additionally, it could significantly reduce the cost of deten...

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