Skip to main content

SPOTLIGHT: Van Foster, Parole Officer, Dallas District Office

Parole Officer Van Foster was the August 2017 recipient of the TJJD Employee Excellence Award. Van began his employment with the agency in September of 1995 as a Program Administrator and is currently a Parole Officer III. Executive Director David Reilly said, “We want to publicly thank Van for his commitment, dedication, initiative, and excellence to the agency. We encourage all of you to express your appreciation to him, as well.”

What enticed you to become a Parole Officer?
I knew becoming a parole officer would allow me to be involved in shaping the lives of children and families in their communities of origin.

What drives you to do a good job?
I want all children to know that there are people in this world that really have their best interest at heart. I want the youth I serve to be successfully reintegrated into their families and communities so that the children have opportunities to create a new path. If I tie youth and families to community resources, opportunities for successful reintegration increases.

What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen during your career?
Kids are tougher, families are less supportive of reintegration and communities seem to offer fewer resources for the children I serve. I really like that TJJD has moved towards a social service approach to decrease recidivism.

What is your proudest moment?
Marrying the love of my life and sharing eight kids with her.

What do you do in your spare time?
I spend my spare time being a husband, father, and grandfather. My life outside of work revolves around my wife and children. I like to stay active in the gym, listen to music, and practice shooting my handguns at the range.

What do you wish people knew about you?
People should know that I was a foster child for seven years. I myself became a foster parent to give back to a system that gave to me. After fostering for over 20 years, my family and I adopted five children. Yes, I have eight children!

What advice do you have to young employees just starting out today?
Don't expect windfall success when working with our youth but continually look for small approximations of success and build up from there.

What do you want your legacy to be?
I pray that others will search their hearts and find my passion to care for hurting children.
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Employees Receiving Tenure Awards

TJJD would like to recognize the following employees who have received a tenure award since February 2016. On behalf of the agency, we extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and service to the State of Texas. February 2016 Five Years of Service Debra G. Foster, Gainesville Andrea G. Brazell, McLennan CSJCF Brandon E. Spears, McLennan RTC Ron’Neshia D. Spears, McLennan RTC Maria A. Muhammad, Cottrell HWH Mario Ramirez York, HWH Ten Years of Service Robin C. Motley, Gainesville Debra A. Sullivent, Giddings Jimmy W. Loewe, Giddings Raul De La Torre, Evins Stephanie A. Allen, McLennan CSJCF Timothy A. Redic, McLennan RTC Christi R. Villegas, Dallas Distict Office Fifteen Years of Service Donna L. Box, Ron Jackson Twenty Years of Service Cristopher L Burton, Austin (State Programs & Facilities) William L. George, Ron Jackson Joe I. Barraza, Evins Twenty-five Years of Service Venita Y. Foran, Gainesville Mary L. Mahon, Giddings Richard C. Anderso...
Read more

Spring graduates celebrate achievements at TJJD's Lone Star High Schools

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...
Read more

A Message From the Director

May has been a big month for TJJD.  We completed our first site visit at Giddings for the Youth In Custody Practice Model (YICPM).  It was great having the YICPM consulting team of Ned Loughran with the Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators, Shay Bilchek and Michael Umpierre with the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, and Kelly Dedel with One in 37 Research, Inc., on campus and meeting with our implementation team.  Giddings staff were gracious hosts and the time was well spent.  I am extremely excited about the opportunity the YICPM brings to TJJD.  This will give us a proactive chance to thoroughly examine ourselves to create safer campuses, help kids be more successful, become more cohesive and collaborative as an agency and establish a more positive culture.  Self-examination is never easy, but the result is worth it.  I look forward to the next 18 months. Our Capstone Project continues to move forward with the Ron Jackson and Gaines...
Read more