TJJD News & Announcements

Lidia Velazquez, who works as a parole service assistant in the Fort Worth District Office, is the only electronic monitoring specialist in the state juvenile justice system. This comes with a lot of responsibility, as she handles every single electronic monitor placed on TJJD youth. It is a job she handles with professionalism and a clear understanding of the policy involved, said Billy Branch, the parole officer who nominated Velasquez for the TJJD Employee Excellence Award for the month of July. Velazquez also is bilingual, which makes her invaluable to the Fort Worth office, where she often helps facilitate meetings between parole officers and Spanish-speaking families. But she goes a step beyond simple translating, Branch wrote. “Her demeanor and personality puts those families at ease to the point that they feel comfortable relaying valuable information concerning the state of our youth,” he said. As parole assistant, she helps out in countless ways that are not strictly spelle...

Cris Burton, who’s retiring this month after 22 years with TYC/TJJD, leaves an important legacy, having served as the administrator of the PAWS (Pairing Achievement with Service) program and one of its founders. This unique canine training and treatment program has helped more than 200 youth rise to the challenge of helping shelter dogs learn good behavior, improving their adoptability. PAWS began at the Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Facility in 2010. It was a collaborative effort between Burton, who’d long envisioned a program modeled on the first prison canine training effort (at a women’s facility in Washington), and Holli Fenton, an employee at Ron Jackson with ties to the dog rescue community in Brownwood. Burton, who has a master’s in counseling psychology, designed the PAWS regimen, which he explains helps to break down the psychological walls that TJJD youth have built in response to their hard lives. Fenton put PAWS into operation at Brownwood, where girls in...

Xavier Casares, a commander who oversees the South Division of the Office of Inspector General, received the TJJD Employee Excellence Award for the month of June. Lt. Casares, who has worked for TJJD since April 2013, was cited for his contagious spirit of cooperation and professionalism and for serving as a mentor to those serving in police communications within the Incident Reporting Center. “Commander Xavier Casares has motivated and strengthened our drive in our respective fields to become better TJJD employees,” said a fellow employee. “His number one priority is the safety and the well-being of youth at our facilities as well as TJJD employees and because of that, he molded the IRC to provide better ways of communication and strategy to do so.” He “believes in the capabilities of the IRC Specialists” and makes himself available to them. “He never shies away from a challenge and his door is always open whenever we have a question, an issue or simply need advice,” sa...

Noel Ruiz, an Inventory and Store Specialist working in the Business Operations and Contracts Division, received the TJJD Employee Excellence Award for the month for May. Ruiz, who began working for the agency in April 2008, has demonstrated commitment, dedication and initiative in a job that operates behind the scenes and is rarely recognized, unless something goes wrong, according to his supervisor, Director of Business Operations & Contracts Kenneth Ming. Ruiz helps assure that everyone has the supplies they need, singlehandedly receiving all the commodity goods purchased by and shipped to Central Office. He also manages TJJD’s – wait for it – $195 million in assets. Wrote Ming in recommending Ruiz for recognition: “While I have the title of Agency Property Manager, Noel does all of the work and gets very little credit. He does the annual inventory, identifies missing items, does administrative work in CAPPS, disposes, transfers and retires assets.” And then Ming ...

Leonard Cucolo, longtime court liaison for Texas Juvenile Justice Department/Texas Youth Commission, retired last week after 30 years with the agency. As court liaison for the past two decades (covering the entire state for the past 17 years), Cucolo traversed Texas countless times to testify in hearings for determinant-sentenced youth. Caseworkers and administrators prepared detailed files of a youth’s record while in custody in preparation for the hearings, where juvenile court judges weighed if a youth would be paroled or moved to an adult prison. It was Cucolo’s job to testify on behalf of the agency’s position. “I represented the work everybody did and it was an honor to do that,” Cucolo said at his retirement reception at TJJD’s central office in Austin on June 29. Earlier, Cucolo explained that his job placed him squarely in the middle of an emotional, high stakes event – the courtroom where a youth’s future was being decided. The news he delivered typically elated one...

Jeanette Vrabel is the TJJD Employee Excellence Award winner for Central Office. Vrabel began her employment with the agency in November of 2015 as a Senior Contract Specialist and has become a “rock star” of that department, handling some of the most complex contracts for TJJD and more than $40 million in contracts overall. “With over 25 years state service and over 12 years of experience in contracts, she always get the job done in the most cost efficient way,” wrote her nominating colleague. “. . . She is merciless in her management of vendors and service providers, holding each accountable for providing the best quality services we expect and are paying for.” Outside of work, Vrabel enjoys spending time with family and friends, and she likes to get outdoors, whether for work or pleasure. She will receive a reserved parking, certificate of appreciation and the option for a $50 gift card or 8 hours of Executive leave.

Diane Laffoon, a training specialist, is the April 2018 recipient of the TJJD Employee Excellence Award for Central Office. Laffoon, who began her employment with the agency in January 2004 as a professional certification specialist, continues to be “the hub of the certification wheel for all juvenile justice across the state of Texas,” according to her nomination. She provides excellent customer service to all those with whom she works to get training properly documented, and “despite challenges with technology and many daily questions from the field, she is always helpful and diligent.” She communicates items for follow-up that don’t necessarily even fall into her purview, because she wants to help others connect with the right person, wrote the colleague who nominated her. Friends and co-workers know Laffoon to be an avid fan of the Cleveland Indians baseball team.  Laffoon also is a songwriter and onetime drummer. She will receive a reserved parking, certi...

Rebecca Walters began her career at Texas Youth Commission as a fresh-out-of-college intern at the Giddings State School in 1991 and rose to become the director of Youth Placement and Program Development for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. Walters, who retired in March, was known as an innovator at TJJD and TYC, having worked on developing agency efficiencies and responsivity to youth needs in many capacities, including 10 years working across divisions directly on those specific issues. She helped improve leadership and succession planning, case management and treatment models. Recently she served as project manager of the Youth in Custody Practice Model (YICPM), a wide-ranging effort to assure the agency’s full alignment with national best practices. She also helped lead the Racial and Ethnic Disparities (RED) Work Group, which has generated new strategies to counter racial and ethnic disparities among youth and employees. Walters served in several capacities at...

AUSTIN, Texas – TJJD would like to recognize the following employees who have received a tenure award in February and March 2017. On behalf of the agency, we extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and service to the State of Texas. February 2017 FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE Hollie A. Walker, Giddings Gabriel Medellin, OIG Field TEN YEARS OF SERVICE Daniel P. Gunter, Austin Jennifer D. Martin, Austin Raul Romero, Evins Jacob Luna, Evins Michael Martinez, Evins Albany S. Siam, Evins Karen C. Richroath, Gainesville Andrew C. Allen, Giddings Carl E. Walker, McLennan CSJCF Billy C. Matthews, Ron Jackson John E. Williams, Ron Jackson FIFTEEN YEARS OF SERVICE Michael E. Christensen, Austin Candice L. Alexander, Giddings Joseph E. White, McLennan RTC TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE Robert K. Dubose, Austin Jimmie E. Jenson, McLennan CSJCF Samuel T. Allison, McLennan CSJCF Lisa K. McNeil, McLennan RTC TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE R...

Velre Boyd, an investigator with the Administrative Investigations Division (AID), has been with TJJD/TYC for more than 27 years. She’s dedicated her career to protecting youth rights through her work with AID. Boyd stands out as cool under pressure, conducting investigations with grace and demonstrating compassion to all parties involved, her supervisors say. This was evident to all when she had to act as the sole investigator at a facility while a colleague was on leave. During this time, Boyd had to investigate the death of a youth in custody while also handling all other local AID investigations. Her supervisors, who know the difficulty and sadness associated with investigating a youth death, were impressed with how she never buckled while working under considerable pressure. Boyd is a relentless, thorough, dedicated investigator and a tremendous asset to the agency, says AID Director Kevin DuBose. Boyd also has worked as a case manager and youth rights specialist at TJJD. ...

AUSTIN, Texas – TJJD would like to recognize the following employees who have received a tenure award since November 2017. On behalf of the agency, we extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and service to the State of Texas. November 2017 FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE Matthew S. Crocker, Evins Isabel Silva,  Evins Corina C. Almanza,  Gainesville Ramiro Hernandez,  Giddings Dawn D A. Klecak,  Giddings Jennifer J. Southern,  McLennan CSJCF Kathy S. Lillie,  McLennan CSJCF Sabrina C. Arellano,  McLennan RTC Gavin J. Middleton,  Ron Jackson TEN YEARS OF SERVICE Christina M. Corpus-Ybarra,  Austin Cynthia J. Brown,  Austin Sandra L. Lane,  Gainesville Rachel L. Lively,  Gainesville Cassandra E. Reyes,  Gainesville Sonja L. Herrington,  Giddings Eric S. Mattocks,  Giddings Tatrina S. Bailey-Josephs,  Giddings Brenda J. Diles,  McLennan CSJCF Ellen J. Boston,...

AUSTIN, Texas – TJJD would like to recognize the following employees who have received a tenure award since June 2017. On behalf of the agency, we extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and service to the State of Texas. June 2017 FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE Vanessa Williams, Giddings Darrell Logan, Jr., McLennan Carmen Urbina, Evins Maricela Trevino, McLennan Pete Calvert, Giddings Keith Williams, Ron Jackson Jeanette Krenek, Gainesville Veronica Barrera, Evins Gregory Winn, McFadden Ranch Tasharra Norwood, Gainesville Sharon Russell, Giddings Luther Taliaferro, Austin - Education Alfonso Tamez, Jr., Evins TEN YEARS OF SERVICE Eric Herring, Austin - Probation & Community Services Christina Huddleston, Ron Jackson Larry Shupe, Giddings Sara Wakefield, Ron Jackson Sergio Avila, Jr., Evins Martha Garcia, Evins Javier Rosales, Evins Linda McDonald, Ron Jackson Michael Meyer, Austin - Financial Services Brandi Cain, Austin - Offic...

AUSTIN, Texas – TJJD would like to recognize the following employees who have received a tenure award since March 2017. On behalf of the agency, we extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and service to the State of Texas. March 2017 FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE Michael Reta, Evins Enrique Moreno, Evins Mary B. Crocket,t Gainesville Rosezetta V. Candley-Audu, Gainesville Deborah L. Brackee,n Gainesville Kristy R. Kauffman, Giddings Lucas C. Stringfellow, Giddings Arthur D. Balfour,  Giddings Chester D. Rittgers,  Giddings Calvin M. Hill, McLennan Monique J. Brown, McLennan LaTesha T. McGinnis, Schaeffer HWH TEN YEARS OF SERVICE Benjamin Ramire,z Evins Kymberli L. Parks, Giddings Marsha J. Killgore, McLennan Karen A. Conner-Vergari, McLennan Earl W. Mason, McLennan FIFTEEN YEARS OF SERVICE Gloria D. Riley, Gainesville Rosa M. Montes, Gainesville Latonji R. Brown, Giddings Francis A. Phillips, McLennan Elida P. Garcia, McLenna...

AUSTIN, Texas – TJJD would like to recognize the following employees who have received a tenure award since December 2016. On behalf of the agency, we extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and service to the State of Texas. December 2016 FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE George N. Ervin Jr., Gainesville Larry D. Jackson, Gainesville Brent L. Baker, McLennan TEN YEARS OF SERVICE Michel Brown, Cottrell HWH Jeffery J. Johnson, McLennan Dilcy A. Freeman, Ron Jackson Anton L. Boweware, McLennan Kala T. Green, Giddings FIFTEEN YEARS OF SERVICE Tonya K. Mason, Brownwood HWH Wanona Posas, Giddings TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE Patricia O. Daniels, Giddings Nydia D. Thomas, Austin–General Counsel Monica L. Harrison, Giddings Vincent T. Hornsby, McLennan Marina M. Vidaurri, McLennan Martin A. Gilbert, Cottrell HWH Calvin B. Washington, Giddings Juan J. Najera, Gainesville Israel Cantu, Tamayo HWH TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE Brenda C. Fowler, Gainesv...

AUSTIN, Texas – TJJD began piloting the juvenile supervision officer certification exam. The pilot will be conducted over a six-month period and the exam will not be required for certification until September 1, 2017. TJJD worked with the Regional Training Officers statewide, along with the Chapter 344 subgroup of the Advisory Council, to develop the first of three rounds of questions that will be used for the new automated exam. The purpose of the pilot is similar to the JPO certification exam and provides an opportunity to gain statistics on wording, timing, appropriateness of questions, etc. During the pilot, TJJD will switch out 50 questions at a time, each for two months, over the six-month period (for a total of potentially 150 questions that will be in the pool of questions). TJJD will send another email in April when the next group of 50 questions is piloted. The JSO exam will be a 50-question test with multiple choice, true/false and matching questions. The JSO exam is a ...

AUSTIN, Texas – TJJD’s Juvenile Justice Training Academy (JJTA) recently adopted a new Training Procedure Manual as well as revisions to the Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual as it relates to TJJD employees and their supervisors knowing and adhering to training-related requirements. TJJD provides training for employees to meet state and federal laws and to ensure that employees are successful in the performance of their job duties. Highlights of these new policies include: Identifying specific responsibilities of the JJTA, a TJJD employee, and their supervisor. Describing the process for establishing that an employee has sole-supervision status. Defining the competency threshold for considering a staff to successfully complete a course to include a score of 70% or higher, for written tests, except for CRP, first aid, and AED, which require a score of 80% or higher; or a demonstration of competency of the required skills, as determined by the training specialist, for hands-on te...

AUSTIN, Texas – TJJD’s Juvenile Justice Training Academy (JJTA) recently released revised curriculum for three mandatory topics to be used for juvenile probation and supervision officer basic training. The new materials include the full curriculum on Officer Safety and Mechanical Restraints, Customized Case Design, and Suicide Prevention and Intervention . The JJTA worked with the regional training officers, select field subject matter experts and internal technical authorities for input and review of the approved material. This new material should be used when training officers for certification. Officer Safety and Mechanical Restraints is a 3.5 hour course that provides an overview of safety considerations when supervising juveniles in and out of an office setting. Participants will examine the proper application of mechanical restraints via scenario-based learning. This course is intended for juvenile probation officers. Customized Case Design is a 5.5 hour course that c...

AUSTIN, Texas – TJJD targeted an on-going effort to enhance new hire and professional development among direct care staff. In January, the agency implemented new or substantially revised on-the-job training (OJT) modules for juvenile correctional officers (JCO) and case managers. The goals of the new curricula were to establish a consistent pattern for on-the-job training from facility to facility and to enhance the quality of material by making it practical and relevant to what staff need to know in order to be successful in their day to day job. At the end of each module, both JCOs and case managers will be required to successfully demonstrate competency, proficiency, and performance before completing the program. For JCOs, approximately 112 hours of OJT is provided upon hire. The new or rewritten classroom OJT modules include: Creating Opportunities for Successful Youth Outcomes Emergency Situations Managing the Dorm Professional Conduct in the Workplace Security and Contro...