Family members are encouraged to write letters to their child and visit them as often as they can. Before you visit your child, each family member must complete an application and consent to a criminal history check in order to be placed on the approved visitation list. The Visitor Application is available in the following formats:
Family members who need financial assistance with transportation expenses to visit their child are encouraged to contact their Family Liaison.
Parent's Bill of Rights, in English
Bill of Rights
Parents are partners with correctional staff, educators, and treatment providers in their child’s rehabilitation and shall be encouraged and assisted to actively participate in the design and implementation of their child’s treatment, from intake through discharge.
Parents of children who have been committed to the care, custody, or control of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department have the following rights:
- As a parent, you have the right to know that you and your child will be treated fairly regardless of race, religion, national origin, language, economic status, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or age and that each child will be treated as an individual.
- As a parent, you have the right to expect the agency to provide a safe, secure, and sanitary environment for your child.
- As a parent, you have the right not to be judged, blamed or labeled because of your child’s incarceration.
- As a parent, you have the right to be a vocal and active advocate on behalf of your child.
- As a parent, you have the right to be an active participant when decisions are made about your child.
- As a parent, you have the right to be informed about matters related to your child’s welfare.
- As a parent, you have the right to access your child’s records.
- As a parent, you have the right to meaningful participation in your child’s treatment, including medical treatment, behavioral health treatment, and education.
- As a parent, you have the right to communicate with your child, including visitation, telephone, and mail.
- As a parent, you have the right to be assured that all TJJD staff are professional, courteous, and respectful.
- As a parent, you have the right to know that TJJD will take immediate corrective action to protect the rights of parents and youth.
- As a parent, you have the right to meaningful participation in your child’s transition-planning — from intake through release, parole, and eventual discharge.
Parent's Bill of Rights, en Español
Los padres son socios con el personal correccional, con los educadores, y con proveedores de tratamiento en la rehabilitación de su niño y serán animados y serán apoyados para activamente tomar parte en el diseño y la implementación del tratamiento de su niño, desde la entrada hasta la descarga.
Los padres de niños1 que han sido cometidos al cuidado, a la custodia, o al control del Departamento de Justicia Juvenil de Texas tienen los siguientes derechos:
- Como padre, usted tiene el derecho de saber que usted y su niño será tratado imparcial a pesar de su raza, a pesar de su religión, a pesar del origen nacional, a pesar del idioma, a pesar de estatus económico, a pesar de la incapacidad, a pesar del género, a pesar de la orientación sexual, o a pesar de la edad y que cada niño será tratado como un individuo.
- Como padre, usted tiene el derecho de esperar que la agencia va proporcionar un ambiente sano, seguro, y sanitario para su niño.
- Como padre, usted tiene el derecho de no ser juzgado, de no ser culpado y de no ser marcado a causa de la encarcelación de su niño.
- Como padre, usted tiene el derecho de ser un partidario vocal y activo a favor de su niño.
- Como padre, usted tiene el derecho de ser un participante activo cuando las decisiones son hechas acerca de su niño.
- Como padre, usted tiene el derecho de ser informado acerca de asuntos relacionados al bienestar de su niño.
- Como padre, usted tiene el derecho de acceso a los registros de su niño.
- Como padre, usted tiene el derecho a la participación significativa en el tratamiento de su niño, inclusive el tratamiento médico, el tratamiento conductista de la salud, y la educación.
- Como padre, usted tiene el derecho de comunicar con su niño, inclusive visita, el teléfono, y el correo.
- Como padre, usted tiene el derecho de ser asegurado que todo personal de TJJD es profesional, cortés, y respetuoso.
- Como padre, usted tiene el derecho de saber que TJJD tomará la acción correctiva inmediata para proteger los derechos de padres y niños.
- Como padre, usted tiene el derecho a la participación significativa en la transición de su niño – desde la entrada hasta la liberación.
Coming Home
Preparing for your Child's Return Home
For families living in certain counties in Texas, the agency is able to provide Family Reunification Services that involves parenting groups, family therapy, and case management. The family sessions are provided with the use of video conferencing to connect youth and family without having to drive the long distance to the TJJD facility.
Some youth will be released back to their homes with prescribed medications. It is important that the youth and their family be aware of medication management. Please visit Dos and Don'ts - Medication Management (.docx) for important information. Para Español oprime aqui: Haga y No Haga (.docx).
Contact your Family Liaison for more information.
Reentry Specialists
A Family Reentry Specialist is Ready to Help
Each high-restriction facility has a family reentry specialist to assist families in staying involved in their child's treatment, and making informed choices regarding their child's individual case plan (ICP).
To contact the person who can assist you and your child, send us an email at .