Overview
TJJD's Probation Services Division works with probation departments across the state to enhance the many services offered to local youth referred to them. By facilitating quality interaction between juvenile boards and juvenile probation departments and the various divisions within TJJD, we work together in all areas of juvenile justice.
This partnership encourages participation from all departments. TJJD understands the wide diversity in the many departments across Texas; the Probation Services Division recognizes this also and serves as a resource for innovative approaches when problem solving. As a liaison between the Department and the field, the Probation Services Division is a resource for the continued success of the departments and TJJD.
Texas Juvenile Probation Directory
Are you looking for the names and addresses of Texas juvenile probation professionals? Take a look at the Texas Juvenile Probation Directory to get the latest information as well as access to submit updates.
Family Resources
TJJD and Probation Departments across the state work in a variety of ways every day to provide education, information and support to families of youth who are already involved or at risk of becoming involved in the Texas juvenile justice system. We know youth do better with strong family support, and we do our best to help you along the way.
Are you looking for help for your son or daughter and don’t know where to go? Use the resources below to get more information.
We're in crisis now. Who can I call?
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Call or text 988
If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. -
Texas Youth Helpline
The Texas Youth Helpline provides free and confidential services to youth, their parents, and other family members of youth in crisis who need help finding a counselor, safe shelter, legal information, other local referral information, or just someone to talk to. -
NAMI – If In Crisis…
Connects anyone seeking crisis service information with multiple links to different crisis lines in Texas.
I think my child needs mental health services. Who do I call?
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Mental Health Texas
This easy-to-use website was developed with the goal of providing information, resources and direction to Texas residents who may have mental health related needs or who want to support someone who does. -
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
This Facility Locator provides you with comprehensive information about mental health services and resources and is useful for professionals, consumers and their families, and the public. You may also access the underlying facility location information here. -
Texas Health and Human Services Children’s Mental Health
This page provides guidance on youth and child assessment services, family partner support services, the Residential Treatment Center Relinquishment Avoidance Project (RTC Project) and YES waiver. -
The Texas Health and Human Services Search Engine
Search all services and resources available through Texas State Health Services. -
Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium Resources for Parents
This provides parents or any other concerned adults with information on various mental health topics as well as links to learn more about school-based mental health services through TCHATT (Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine).
My child is using drugs or alcohol. Who do I call for help?
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US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Find the right drug abuse treatment program or alcohol abuse treatment program with the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator. -
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. This website will help you find local meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous. -
Al-Anon
Al-Anon Family Groups meet in over 130 countries to help families and friends of problem drinkers recover from the impacts of a loved one’s drinking. Members help each other by practicing the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous themselves, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic. This website will help you find local meetings of Al-Anon groups. -
Texas Health and Human Services Youth Substance Abuse
This page provides guidance on youth substance abuse programs in Texas for prevention and treatment.
We need food stamps. What do I do?
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Your Texas Benefits
Use this website to find an food stamp office (and other benefits) near you. -
Texas Health and Human Services Food Bank Providers
List of community food bank providers. Providers can also assist with SNAP food benefits.
My child is skipping school and not coming home by curfew. Who can help us get back on track?
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Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) manages community-based programs that prevent delinquency, abuse, neglect and exploitation of Texas children.This website will help you find services in your county. -
Texas Education Agency, Communities in Schools
Texas Education Agency’s Communities In Schools (CIS) program surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. CIS engages students in learning through case management and whole school services, including counseling, tutoring, pre-employment training, health and mental health services, and mentoring. -
Texas Challenge Academy
The Texas Challenge Academy (TCA) is a volunteer program for 16 to 18 year old teens that are at risk of dropping out or that have already dropped out of high school. The program is open to all students, without regard to race, sex, religious affiliation or household income. The program requires a 17 1/2 month commitment and is divided into three phases, including a 5 and ½ month residential program.
My older child needs a place to live and help finding a job. Who can help?
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Job Corps
Call toll free, 1-800-733-5627, for information about free residential programs for young men and women, ages 16-24, that empower youth to take responsibility for their employability through the integration of vocational skills and academic achievement. -
Workforce Solutions
The Texas Workforce Commission, 28 Workforce Development Boards and their service contractors work together to provide workforce solutions for Texans. Workforce Solutions offices are located throughout Texas to serve you. -
Texas Workforce Commission
Plan your career and make career-related decisions. Explore new career opportunities, find wage and occupation information, learn about your interests and abilities, and use other labor market resources. -
Transitional Living Services for Texas Youth and Young Adults
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Texas Youth Connection website contains information on services available to foster youth and other youth who are transitioning to adulthood.
I’m a single parent and need help with getting my child support. Who should I call?
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Office of the Attorney General
As the official child support enforcement agency for the State of Texas, the Office of the Attorney General provides services for parents who wish to obtain or provide support for their children. This website will help you apply for services.
I think my neighbor is abusing her child. What do I do?
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Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
1-800-252-5400. Call the Abuse Hotline toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, nationwide or file an online report.
I have another question that I’d like to ask. Who can I call?
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Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCG)
Reach out to your area Community Resource Coordination Group for help finding services in your local community. -
Juvenile Probation Department
Your local Juvenile Probation Department can assist you with questions about the juvenile legal system and related services in your community. -
Aunt Bertha
Aunt Bertha collects all federal, state, county, city, neighborhood, and charity program information and makes it easy to find food, health, housing and employment programs. -
211
2-1-1 Texas is a free, easy-to-remember phone number connecting callers with health and human services in their community, state benefits, and a place to report abuse. Information and Referral (option 1) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the year. Information can be provided in over 90 different languages.
JPD Resources
Legislative Reporting and Statistics
Legislative Reporting and Statistics »
Statistical Reports
The Texas Juvenile Justice Department's (TJJD) annual statistical reports provide information regarding the magnitude and nature of juvenile criminal activity and the juvenile probation system's response. This information is offered for assisting the State's efforts for improving the juvenile justice system and reducing juvenile crime in Texas. Summary tables and individual county data is not available on the web site for the 1997 and 1998 reports. Please contact the Legislative Reporting and Statistics Division if you need this information.
- The State of Juvenile Probation Activity in Texas, 2022 v.RPT-STAT-2022
- The State of Juvenile Probation Activity in Texas, 2021 v.RPT-STAT-2021
- The State of Juvenile Probation Activity in Texas, 2020 v.RPT-STAT-2020
- The State of Juvenile Probation Activity in Texas, 2019 v.RPT-STAT-2019
- The State of Juvenile Probation Activity in Texas, 2018 v.RPT-STAT-2018
- The State of Juvenile Probation Activity in Texas, 2017 v.RPT-STAT-2017
- The State of Juvenile Probation Activity in Texas, 2016 v.RPT-STAT-2016
- The State of Juvenile Probation Activity in Texas, 2015 v.RPT-STAT-2015
COVID-19 Information and Resources for Probation Departments
Federal and State Resources
- Executive Order GA 34 by Governor Greg Abbott (Relating to the opening of Texas in response to the COVID-19 disaster)
- Texas Department of State Health Services - Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- DSHS-TDEM-COVID19 PPE STAR Overview
- Texas Division of Emergency Management - COVID-19
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice - COVID-19 Updates
- Centers for Disease Control - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- CDC - Interim Guidance on Management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Correctional and Detention Facilities
- Environmental Protection Agency - Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Coronavirus.Gov
- Federal Government Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
TJJD Guidance and Resources
Agency Guidance/Protocols
- Email-031120 COVID19 Response Preparation Considerations
- Email-031120 Federal Bureau of Prisons - Influenza Plan
- Email-031120 HHS Correctional Facilities Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
- Email-031320 TJJD Standards Divergence Guidance
- Email-031620 TJJD Facility Gatehouse Screening Checklist
- Email-031920 Extension of Officer Certification Periods
- Email-031920 Health Screening Form for COVID-19
- Email-031920 Health Screening Requirements prior to Transport to TJJD
- Email-032420 Guidance on Use of Detention and Post-Adjudication
- Email-032720 Information Regarding Personal Restraint Technique HWC
- Email-033120 Request for COVID-19 Notifications to IRC
- Email-040320 TJJD Executive Order #1 - Youth Transfer Holds
- Email-040720 Request to Schedule New Admissions to TJJD
- Email-041320 TJJD Executive Order #2 Message and Attachment
- Email-041320 Assistance through CARES Act Messages and Attachments
- Email-041520 Families First Coronavirus Response Act Webinar Email and Summary
- Email-041620 Funding Announcement for CESF Program
- Email-041620 Information for All JPDs, CARES Act Info
- Email-042720 TAC Chapter 344 Guidance and Waivers
- Email-042920 Additional Information on CARES Act
- Email-050120 Ron Jackson Orientation & Assessment Unit Re-Open Process
- Email-050620 Issue Paper COVID19 Practice Policy and Emergency Protocols in State Juvenile Facilities
- Email-050720 Transitioning Back to Work Webinar
- Email-051320 SNAP Benefits Update
- Email-062220 Coronavirus Relief Fund Access
- Email-062320 Ron Jackson Orientation & Assessment Unit Admissions Hold
- Email-071020 Update: Managing Populations
- Email-102521 TAC 344 Pre-Recorded Training Limitations
- Email-122821 Emergency Staffing Response to COVID-19
- Email-040422 TAC 344 Pre-Recorded Training Limitations
- Email-071922 Important TJJD Update COVID-19 and Worker Shortage
- Email-120722 TAC 344 Pre-Recorded Training Limitations Extension
Education Resources
Federal Programs
- Email-051320 SNAP Benefits Update
- Email-033120 Medicaid Application and Access to Service
- Email-032020-Title IV-E Guidance
Mental Health Resources
National Justice Organizations
Several national organizations dedicated to supporting juvenile justice and corrections have provided pandemic planning or COVID-19 specific resources:
National Partnership for Juvenile Services - COVID-19 Resources for Juvenile Services
Parole FAQs
Parole FAQs
How is Parole notified that a youth has been committed to TJJD and what happens after notification?
Parole is notified that a youth has been committed to TJJD from the Intake Department at Ron Jackson.
Notification from Ron Jackson’s Intake Department. The Parole Supervisor will receive an email from Ron Jackson’s Intake, Orientation and Assessment Department and assign the Parole Officer. The email will include attachments such as the youth’s Interagency Application for Placement (IAP/Common Application), case/social histories, police reports, etc.
After receipt of the information, the Parole Officer (PO) will compose and send out an introductory letter to both the youth and their family within 14 days of receipt of information. Both letters are sent via standard mail. In addition, the youth’s institutional case manager receives an emailed copy of the letter.
In the introductory letter sent to the family, the PO requests that the parent or guardian contacts the PO to schedule a home evaluation. This will mark the first of three attempts in scheduling the home evaluation within 60 days of the youth’s commitment to TJJD.
Once contact is made and the home evaluation is scheduled, conducted, and approved, the approval is entered into the Correctional Care system (CCS). If contact is not made or if the family does not agree to schedule the home evaluation, within the 60-day period, the home evaluation will be entered, into CCS, as a disapproval.
It is important to note that disapproved homes can be temporary or permanent. When a home is disapproved, the PO, family, Case Manager, and Reentry Specialist can consider other alternative placement options, if necessary, to ensure that the youth has a home placement upon release.
How are Release decisions from the Institutions made and does Parole have any input into the decisions?
Ideally, if a youth completes their required treatment and obtains Stage “Yes” by their Minimum Length of Stay (MLOS), that youth is eligible to be released. If the youth has not completed their required treatment, that youth may be reviewed by the Release Review Panel (RRP). RRP conducts case-by-case reviews of youth who have completed their MLOS, but have not completed their treatment requirement(s).
How are Halfway Houses (HWH) utilized and does every youth go to a halfway house?
HWHs are utilized by allowing a youth to “step down.” By stepping down, they have the opportunity to complete treatment, perform community service hours, obtain employment, and work towards other parole conditions that they are required to complete in the community. The more parole requirements that a youth can satisfy while at the HWH, oftentimes, create a greater chance for successful parole completion.
However, not every youth transitions to a HWH. Some youth are considered “straight release.” This happens when the secure facility recommends that the youth be released from the facility straight to their approved placement.
Who notifies the County that a youth is being released on Parole?
The Institutional Placement Coordinator (IPC), at the secure facilities, notifies the county that a youth is being released to parole via 186/ Court Notification. If the youth is being released from the HWH the HWH Case Manager will send the 186/Court Notification.
Are there some juveniles that are released from TJJD who are not supervised by Parole?
Yes. Youth who are released from TJJD and who are not supervised, on parole, can fall into one of the categories below:
- Determinate Sentenced Offenders who transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
- Have reached the age of majority
- Administratively discharged because they have derived maximum benefit from their TJJD commitment. The administrative discharge option is extremely rare and requires the approval of the Executive Director.
What is the process for a Parole officer as soon as a youth is released?
According to the Conditions of Parole (COPs), the youth must contact the Parole Officer within 24 hours of release to schedule the Parole Intake and Orientation (PIO). The PIO must be completed within 7 working days of the youth’s release from the residential facility.
When do Directive To Apprehends (DTAs) go out and who decides to send them and cancel them?
When a recommendation is made to issue a DTA, the Parole Officer (PO) will staff the youth’s case with their Parole Supervisor (PS). Some of the reasons that a PO will recommend the issuance of a DTA include the following: youth absconds, fails to report, or has engaged in criminal activity.
After staffing the youth’s case, the Parole Supervisor (PS) will propose a plan of action and approve or disapprove the request. If the issuance of a DTA is approved, the Parole Officer will complete the DTA/Hold Request and submit to the PS for further processing. The PS will then forward the DTA to the Parole Service Assistant (PSA) who then makes the necessary contacts with the Incident Reporting Center (IRC). All DTA’s are teletyped to the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications Systems (TLETS) and disseminated both state and nationwide.
Cancellation of a DTA. A DTA can be cancelled at the recommendation of the Parole Officer (PO). The PO will staff the case with the Parole Supervisor (PS) recommending cancellation of the DTA and suggest the issuance of other sanctions.
A DTA can also be cancelled once a youth has been detained. Once the Parole Service Assistant (PSA) is notified that a youth has been detained, the PSA will contact IRC and submit a request to cancel the DTA releasing the hold on the youth or placing a hold, on the youth, for further due process.
Additionally, if a youth has reached the age of majority, a DTA will expire one day before the youth’s 19th birthday. The PO will submit a CCF 190 discharge. On the other hand, if a youth has transferred to Adult Probation and the PO is in possession of the court orders, the PO will also complete a CCF 190 discharge request and submit to the Parole Supervisor (PS) for cancellation of the DTA, Or if a youth is sentenced time to TDCJ or receive six months or more jail time , PO will complete a CCF 190 discharge request.
What is the process for deciding if a youth is released after a DTA or revoked?
When a DTA is released, there are two possible outcomes for the youth:
- Return to parole supervision, or
- Parole revocation
For youth returning to parole supervision, in the community, the Parole Officer and the Parole Supervisor reviews all relevant information (police reports, etc) to determine if additional charges exist. A parolee may have a Level-III sanction hearing to address behaviors.
For youth facing parole revocation, the Parole Officer and Parole Supervisor have determined the existence of additional charges in the community.
Charges involving one of the following requires TJJD to purse a Level-I Due Process Hearing:
- Violent conduct
- Conduct involving a weapon
- Conduct related to gang involvement or gang activity
- Electronic Monitor tampering
Youth facing a Level I- Due Process Hearing will have the DTA cancelled, but TJJD will place a Hold Request to prevent the youth from bonding out of jail, detention or lock-up.
How can Probation assist Parole Officers in the field?
Probation can assist Parole Officers in the field by sharing and exchanging information about the youth, for parole officers located in rural areas providing a small space at the probation department to conduct UA’s, assist with curfew checks, and providing guidance on family dynamics prior to Parole’s contact with the family. This information can assist Parole in the continuity of care and supervision while the youth is on residential or non-residential status.