TJJD News & Announcements

EDINBURG, Texas -- Bingo, pizza and prizes made for many happy moments at Family Day at the Evins Regional Juvenile Center, on Feb. 24. More than 100 family members visited 38 youth at this gathering sponsored by the South Texas Youth Council. The council provided pizza and beverages. Evins youth in the academic horticultural class cultivated potted flowers, which were given out as bingo prizes to the winning participants. Other prizes included beanie toys and toy cars. Elva Benitez, Family Liaison at Evins, coordinated and ran the event. Superintendent Tamu Steptoe, Assistant Superintendent Daniel Siam, Chaplain Luis Alvarado and central office’s Family and Community Program Supervisor Suzanne Scharlé attended, participated and assisted as needed. Thanks to all the case managers, dorm supervisors, JCOs and volunteers and facility managers who helped!

By Y. Denise Caldwell, CFRC Northern District ROANOKE, Texas – Family members of McFadden Ranch and Willoughby House youth have been receiving beautiful handcrafted greeting cards thanks to the efforts of former TJJD/TYC Parole Officer Nancy Davidson who currently volunteers as an Arts and Craft instructor for both Halfway Houses. She started last year with Christmas cards and assisted at the January Volunteer Appreciation Event where she designed the centerpieces and helped create the Souvenir Booklet. To date she’s had the youth make Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s, Easter, and Mother’s Day cards. She plans to continue her monthly classes with Father’s Day, 4th of July, Thinking of You, and more cards. “I enjoy it a lot,” said Davidson. “It helps me as much as it helps the youth.” The youth like making the cards too. They sometimes ask to make several because not only do they want to give their mother a card, but they want every woman in their life to have a unique car...

AUSTIN, Texas – The Family Supports Department has obtained a new strategy to keep families informed of happenings in the agency. A family newsletter is being published on a quarterly basis. The first edition was released in July of 2016. Departments from across the agency are providing information that is helping families stay connected to their youth. The newsletter is available on the TJJD webpage and is mailed to each youth’s home address. The newsletter is entitled The Family Connection and is published in English and Spanish. The link to the English copy of the newsletter is accessed at the bottom of the Family Services page using the link below. www.tjjd.texas.gov/programs/family_support_services.aspx