Skip to main content

TJJD Hosts Post-Legislative Conference and Budget Workshop in Austin

AUSTIN, Texas – TJJD welcomed juvenile justice professionals from across the state to Austin for the 11th biennial Post-Legislative Conference and Budget Workshop, held July 31-August 2, 2017, at the Omni Southpark Hotel. The TJJD Post-Legislative Conference had approximately 360 participants in attendance and provided individuals with an overview of changes made during the 85th Texas Legislative session, specifically bills impacting juvenile justice, DFPS, victims of crime, human trafficking, sex offenders, the Code Of Criminal Procedure, the Penal Code, and county government with some of the most notable changes occurring with juvenile records. In addition, audience members heard about legislative appropriations to TJJD and the overall impact of funding changes to the juvenile justice system, along with the enhancement of regionalization efforts.

Representative Gene Wu provided the keynote presentation to participants as a supporter of TJJD’s mission and to the Texas juvenile justice system. Representative Wu represents the people of District 137 (Houston) in the Texas House and served his third term in office in the 85th Legislative Session where he was appointed to the House Committees on Appropriations and Human Services. Representative Wu spoke highly of the work the field did as a whole this legislative session and the work we collectively have to do. He encouraged individuals interested in sharing their passion and ideas to contact him directly as he continues to be an advocate for promoting services within the Texas juvenile justice system.

TJJD’s Budget Workshop had a remarkable turnout with over 300 in attendance. The focus continued to be on how funding was allocated to departments and discussed topics related to funding strategies that ensure youth receive adequate services throughout the state.

TJJD would like to thank everyone who attended, and is looking forward to hosting these events again in 2019. For questions or more information, please contact the Juvenile Justice Training Academy at 512.490.7913.

PHOTO: Kaci Singer, Staff Attorney, presenting on Juvenile Records

Labels

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

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. ...
Read more

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.
Read more

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...
Read more