Research Projects

Juvenile justice information on youth committed to state custody is maintained by TJJD for operational, research, and statistical purposes. Juvenile justice information on youth referred to and supervised by juvenile probation departments is maintained by TJJD for research and statistical purposes only.

Juvenile justice information is confidential and protected through numerous state and federal statutes/laws. TJJD may, pursuant to Section 58.009, Family Code, Section 58.005(a-1)(1), Family Code, and Section 203.007, Human Resources Code, grant certain entities access to confidential juvenile justice information for research and statistical purposes, or any other purpose approved by TJJD, or for a purpose beneficial to and approved by TJJD. Requests for juvenile justice information that meet state statute requirements must also comply with federal human subjects protection requirements, the Code of Federal Regulations 28 CFR §20.21(b)(4)(2020), the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). All personally identifiable information is removed from disseminated juvenile justice information.

All Requesters interested in pursuing a research project with TJJD must submit required documentation, which undergoes a two-stage review and approval process. The duration of this two-stage process typically ranges from six to nine months for research projects.

• Project Proposal Packet. All Requesters must submit a complete project proposal packet electronically to .
  • Research Projects include requests for individual-level juvenile justice information on youth committed to state custody as well as on youth referred to and supervised by juvenile probation departments. Research projects also include requests for youth committed to state custody and/or TJJD staff as research participants.
    • A complete Research Proposal Packet includes the following items:
      • Research Project Proposal – no more than 5 pages in length
      • Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval
      • Study instruments, surveys, etc. (if applicable)
      • Study consent forms (if applicable)
      • Research and Analytical Testing System (RATS) Questionnaire
• TJJD Review Committee. The TJJD Review Committee conducts the first stage in the review and approval process. The TJJD Review Committee only reviews complete project proposal packets. The TJJD Review Committee judges each project on the strength of the proposal as well as the benefit to TJJD and/or the juvenile justice system.
• Agreement. If the TJJD Review Committee approves the project, the second stage in the review and approval process begins. TJJD and the Requester must enter into a fully executed Agreement prior to the commencement of the project and the release of any requested juvenile justice information. Further details provided to a Requester with a project approved by the TJJD Review Committee.