Regional Training Officers Meet to Discuss Basic Training Curricula Changes

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – TJJD hosted its annual Regional Training Officer (RTO) meeting in partnership with the Correctional Management Institute of Texas August 1-3, 2017, at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. Regional trainers from around the state came together for this collaborative opportunity. (The primary goal of the workgroup meeting was to ensure the current content of the Juvenile Probation Officer Basic and Juvenile Supervision Officer Basic curricula are updated, relevant, applicable and written in a way that can be consistently delivered statewide to officers.) The RTO workgroup also welcomed several new members to the group.

In preparation for this workgroup meeting, TJJD solicited input via its annual training survey for suggested changes to the curricula, and additional training resources that may be needed within the field. In addition to the survey results, other areas of discussion included: accomplishments from FY 2017; review of the JSO pilot exam questions and results; review of the JPO exam process; the development of a study guide for use by JPOs and JSOs; defining ways to enhance existing basic curricula; and the recruitment of new RTOs.

Delisha McLain, curriculum developer for the Juvenile Justice Training Academy (JJTA), will continue to work with the RTOs and a variety of subject matter experts to enhance outdated material and develop new, relevant content. In the near future, JJTA will be finalizing completed curricula on Trauma Informed Care (revised), Cultural Equity (new), and Gender and Sexuality (new). TJJD will continue to send emails out to all departments when new curriculum is available to be downloaded, however, all departments and facilities are encouraged to ensure they are using the most updated material as provided on the TJJD training resources website. Thanks to all of the RTOs who participated in this workgroup meeting. Their generous input and commitment made this a valuable experience for everyone who attended.

We look forward to your continued feedback on testing. If you have any questions or would like additional information regarding exams, the RTO meeting, the RTO process or if you would like to become a RTO and potentially serve on this workgroup, 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.

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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