TJJD News & Announcements

You’ve likely heard the terms “implicit bias,” and “racial and ethnic disparities”(RED). These phrases are being absorbed into our culture and serving as guideposts toward more equitable systems. At TJJD, the RED Working Group has promoted several changes as it strives to create a better workplace and improve the environment for youth at TJJD, said Shelley McKinley, chairwoman of the TJJD RED Working Group and assistant superintendent of education at TJJD. To kick off its efforts, the RED group trained with a national expert in juvenile justice, Mark Soler. (See him here speaking about disproportionate minority contact .) Soler offered guidance as the group set goals and reached to elevate the conversation about racial and ethnic inequities. RED IS VITAL TO BEST PRACTICES Soler worked with TJJD as part of the YICPM program – Youth in Custody Practice Model -- in which the Texas agency is aligning its operations with national, research-based, best practices. YICPM requires par...

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...

AUSTIN, Texas – The Supporting Staff Workgroup, a subgroup of the Youth in Custody Practice Model (YICPM)*, conducted an assessment to identify ways that agency leadership may better support the needs of staff. TJJD seeks to recognize staff as the agency’s most valuable resource, establish systems of support for mental and physical wellness, and develop a highly-qualified workforce to ensure employees are fully prepared to meet the challenges of their positions through training, building safe and supportive environments and avenues for responsive communication. This was this first quarterly survey sent to staff. Some of the outcomes of the survey are noted in the infographic on the following page. The Supporting Staff Workgroup has used information contained in the survey results to strategically plan how TJJD can enhance systems of support for staff and the workgroup anticipates providing staff with a regular update on measures taken as a result of these results. The first survey ...

AUSTIN, Texas – I must start off by welcoming new board members to the TJJD team. Governor Abbott appointed James Castro, Stephanie Moreno, Allison Palmer, and Jimmy Smith recently to complete the Texas Juvenile Justice Board. I am excited about what these individuals will bring to the leadership of TJJD and look forward to working with each of them. With the 85th Texas Legislative Session behind us, it is now time to assess the results. While no legislation passed that makes sweeping changes to the system, there were a few bills that passed worth noting. SB 1304, known as the Juvenile Records Advisory Committee bill, passed, thanks in large part to the diligent efforts of William Carter, CPO in Lubbock County along with Mark Williams, CPO in Tom Green County. There was a focus on foster children this session that resulted in several bills passing that would increase sharing of information between the Department of Family and Protective Services and juvenile justice agencies, incl...

AUSTIN, Texas – With the 85th Texas Legislative Session more than halfway complete, much time and energy is spent right now on the decisions being made at the Capitol. Several of us from TJJD are regularly at the Capitol talking about the needs of our system. Many of our county partners and juvenile justice practitioners are doing the same. In February, I testified before the Senate Finance Committee and the House Appropriations Committee to lay out the budget needs for both TJJD and county probation partners. Since that time, each committee has completed their work; in the coming weeks, we will see each bill discussed on the floor of each house. While I wish I could say we received funding for all of our needs, the unusually tight fiscal climate this session means most of our exceptional item requests did not receive favorable review. The House allows for floor amendments to the budget. This is the only remaining opportunity for substantive changes to the budget before Conferen...