SYFC Registration Open

Registration has opened for the 14^th Annual Strengthening Youth & Families Conference, which will be held beach-side this year at the San Luis Resort, Spa and Conference Center in Galveston.

Professionals and volunteers who serve youth, as well as family members, are invited to attend the interagency-sponsored conference, set for Nov. 5-8. The conference features workshops related to the promotion of positive youth development and the prevention, intervention and treatment of high-risk behaviors in youth. Workshops are expected to qualify for continuing education credits (up to 27 hours) for social workers, mental health providers, juvenile justice providers, and law enforcement.

Shandra Carter, deputy director of State Services for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), will headline the event as the first keynote speaker, opening the session on Nov. 6. An accomplished mental health professional with 20 years of experience in the human services field, Carter will speak on the Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) model, which focuses on seeing challenging behaviors as a symptom of survival rather than an act of disobedience. A TBRI approach maintains that when behaviors are viewed as a discharge of trauma, professionals can develop responses focused on healing. Understanding the influence of the traumatized youth's brain and nervous system is foundational to developing effective trauma-informed care.

Carter has dedicated her career to serving vulnerable populations, especially children who have suffered from sexual exploitation and abuse, and recently helped Houston-area programs that serve child sex trafficking victims implement the TBRI model of care. She is now working to integrate the TBRI model into the rehabilitation and treatment program at TJJD, serving the state’s most serious youthful offenders.

Before joining TJJD, Carter served as Project Director for the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University. She earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Law, Societies & Justice from the University of Washington. She has a Master’s in Social Work from Eastern Washington University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Supervisor and a Licensed Childcare Administrator.

Register before Sept. 30 for the annual SYFC conference to get the best rates. Call the hotel directly to reserve a room. More information at the SYFC website. A limited number of scholarships are available to assist with registration fees and travel expenses for those who might not otherwise be able to attend. To apply for a conference scholarship, see this link.

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. ...

McFadden Ranch High School Graduates Honored

DENTON, Texas -- The Kiwanis Club of Denton recognized nine youth from McFadden Ranch who earned their high school diploma or equivalency by inviting them to their April 17 noon meeting and luncheon where they were awarded $50 each for their trust fund. Spearheaded by JCO IV Gregory Winn, a longstanding member of the Kiwanis Club of Denton, the event was truly memorable for the youth who attended. They heard a motivational and moving presentation by Texas Rep. Pat Fallon, who completed the Greatest Endurance Challenge – the World Marathon Challenge – tackling seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. He took the challenge after being inspired by Jonny Wade, a 7-year-old boy who battled pediatric cancer and had only one wish – ‘that no other kid ever gets cancer.’ Wade’s death led to the creation of Pediatric Cancer Foundation for which Fallon raised over $250,000 so far. Fallon, who represents a portion of Denton County, said the takeaway from his experience is that we ...

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.

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