TJJD News & Announcements

Life inside a secure juvenile justice facility is vastly different from the fluid routines in the outside world. Young men and women sentenced to time in Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) secure facilities follow a strict daily schedule of mandated treatments, group therapy and recreation as well as voluntary community service events – all aimed at moving them toward improved mental health and pro-social behavior. But a big slice of the day mirrors the world at large. Like their peers outside, TJJD’s youthful offenders spend weekdays in school. For some of these young people, it’s been a while since they regularly attended classes. By the time they arrive at TJJD, the majority are behind by at least one grade-level and have difficulty reading. Various factors disrupted schooling -- learning disabilities, physical abuse, sexual exploitation, gang involvement -- and of course, the criminal activity than landed them in the juvenile justice system. Many TJJ...

HORSESHOE BAY, Texas – The Texas Juvenile Justice Department partnered with the Juvenile Law Section of the State Bar of Texas to sponsor the 31st Annual Juvenile Law Conference in Horseshoe Bay, Feb. 25-28, 2018. The conference welcomed about 350 juvenile justice professionals from across Texas. It kicked off with a pre-conference focusing on the nuts and bolts of juvenile law, followed by more advanced topics during the rest of the conference. Distinguished professionals presented on various topics aimed at enhancing the juvenile justice system. The speakers demonstrated great passion and enthusiasm in sharing their knowledge and expertise. For the fourth year, the Juvenile Law Section hosted disciplinary caucuses with facilitated discussion, providing a place to network within an individual’s personal discipline and discuss best practices, current issues, and ways to improve the system. The Juvenile Law Section honored Nydia Thomas with the Robert O. Dawson Visionary Leaders...

Cherish Yenzer, a curriculum developer who’s been with the agency since 2014, is the February 2018 recipient of the TJJD Employee Excellence Award. Yenzer has worked on developing curricula for Juvenile Health; Juvenile Rights; Professional Communication; Professional Ethics and Reporting; Human Trafficking; Use of Force; Gang Awareness and other training modules. She works exceptionally hard to produce quality work, collaborates in a positive way with peers to find workable solutions to issues and takes great pride in all that she accomplishes, says her supervisor Kristy Almager, director of the Juvenile Justice Training Academy. Yenzer receives a certificate of appreciation and the option of choosing a $50 gift card or 8 hours of executive leave.

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...

AUSTIN, Texas – The last newsletter we issued was around the time of Hurricane Harvey. For many, it is has been a long two months. I am particularly impressed with the preparedness of each of the affected counties. TJJD made contact with them and mostly heard, “We’ve got this!” Well done. One of my favorite things about being part of the Texas juvenile justice system is the support each corner of the system provides to the remainder. Harris, Victoria, Galveston and Hardin Counties each evacuated some of their kids. I know many counties offered bed space, transportation help, and other support. I am proud of our system and how we pull together as a team, especially when a critical series of events demands no less. At TJJD, we sheltered in place. Evins Regional Juvenile Center was well prepared but enjoyed blue skies. Giddings State School received a lot of rain, some of which ended up in the gymnasium due to a damaged roof. Our Houston District Office was closed for just over a week...