By John McGreevy, TJJD Communications

Starting February 21, TJJD resumes its Texas Model Training for TJJD Youth Caregivers and Families. It’s an interactive training series that offers family and caregivers an overall approach to understanding the Texas Model and using it to help their kids while in TJJD facilities and after they return home.

This is all done via live Zoom classes that run for six weeks. Participants only need an email address and a phone, tablet, or computer with internet access.

Tatrina Bailey-Josephs, Texas Model Implementation Sustainment Leader at TJJD, has high expectations for the initiative.

"The seminars contain information about Texas Model subjects including healthy coping skills, how to attain emotional/behavioral regulation, the significance of connection, behavioral correction strategies, and other tools and techniques for helping adolescents achieve success," she said.

At the end of each session, there will be time for questions or to share your experiences with your youth and the Texas Model.

Each time a parent, caregiver, or family member participates in one of these six sessions, the youth’s file is updated to reflect that. After you complete the series, or at least most of it, your youth’s case manager or parole officer may reach out to you to schedule a virtual meeting with you and your youth to discuss how the Texas Model strategies have benefitted your youth.

The youth can share which regulation tools are working and which portions of the Texas Model programming might be helpful upon returning home. The skills the Texas Model teaches help a youth increase their chance for success as they transition back to their home community.

The series will be offered four times this year:

• Session 1: February 21^st - March 28th
• Session 2: May 9^th - June 13th
• Session 3: August 8^th - September 5th
• Session 4: October 17^{t h}- November 21st

To sign up for these sessions, or to get more information, contact your child’s case manager.