- The impact of Dialectical Behavior Therapy on high acuity, high risk youth: A transformative approach in juvenile justice
By TJJD Communications — Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has emerged as a gold standard evidence-based intervention for youth exhibiting acute emotional dysregulation, high-risk behaviors, and complex trauma histories. Originally developed as a cognitive behavioral approach for… Read more: The impact of Dialectical Behavior Therapy on high acuity, high risk youth: A transformative approach in juvenile justice - Educational accomplishments create real opportunities for new graduates from Giddings
By TJJD Communications — At the end of February, Giddings State Juvenile Correctional Facility celebrated a significant milestone as 14 youth walked across the stage to receive GEDs and high school diplomas. Mentors, family… Read more: Educational accomplishments create real opportunities for new graduates from Giddings - Fort Bend County breaks ground on a first-of-its-kind juvenile vocational training facility
Expanding workforce pathways for youth in the Texas juvenile justice system By TJJD Communications — On February 18, 2026, the Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation Department broke ground on a new 6,700-square-foot Juvenile… Read more: Fort Bend County breaks ground on a first-of-its-kind juvenile vocational training facility - TJJD pursues Praesidium Guardian Certification to strengthen youth safety and abuse prevention efforts
By TJJD Communications — The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) has launched a new partnership with Praesidium — a national leader in preventing sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults —… Read more: TJJD pursues Praesidium Guardian Certification to strengthen youth safety and abuse prevention efforts - Youth at Giddings craft handmade toys for young patients at state hospitals
By TJJD Communications — In the weeks leading up to the holidays, the sound of saws and sanders filled the woodshop at Giddings State Juvenile Correctional Facility. This time, the work was… Read more: Youth at Giddings craft handmade toys for young patients at state hospitals - The power of written work and the difference makers who nurture talent
By TJJD Communications — When SW (A female youth) arrived at Mart State Juvenile Correctional Facility, English teacher Jill Fowler immediately recognized her incredible writing potential. SW expressed her emotions… Read more: The power of written work and the difference makers who nurture talent - Sheree Case selected for CAPPS leadership role
By TJJD Communications — Love it or hate it, CAPPS is an integral part of every state employee’s life, but it wasn’t always the effective tool it is today. TJJD was one of the first agencies… Read more: Sheree Case selected for CAPPS leadership role - Brief bill awareness update
By TJJD Communications — In last quarter’s newsletter, we provided general updates about the state’s 89th legislative session. Thank you to all of the teams that helped us implement statutory… Read more: Brief bill awareness update - Former Mart principal takes on new workforce readiness role
By TJJD Communications — The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) is pleased to announce the promotion of Mr. Craig Taylor as our new Assistant Superintendent of Workforce Development, where he will focus on furthering the development… Read more: Former Mart principal takes on new workforce readiness role - TJJD leaders attend AWEC, HR director speaks on panel
By TJJD Communications — This year TJJD leaders attended the Association of Women Executives in Corrections (AWEC) 29th Annual Membership Training Institute in San Antonio, with an especially exciting session where… Read more: TJJD leaders attend AWEC, HR director speaks on panel - TJJD revamps training and leads industry initiatives nationwide
By TJJD Communications — The Texas Juvenile Justice Department Training Department has been working on multiple developments for Juvenile Correctional Officers (JCOs), including; a new training program that blends classroom-style… Read more: TJJD revamps training and leads industry initiatives nationwide - Cameron County’s Cadets for Vets makes an impact
By TJJD Communications — In 2019, the Cameron County Juvenile Probation Department (JPD) had a dream to build houses and donate them to local veterans. From the veteran receiving the… Read more: Cameron County’s Cadets for Vets makes an impact - Eight years of impact: DSA Grant update
By Matt Smith, Statewide Youth Services Continuum Director — It’s been nearly ten years since TJJD began distributing Discretionary State Aid (DSA) Grants. Since then, TJJD has provided $63 million… Read more: Eight years of impact: DSA Grant update - New builds update – sites confirmed, legislature funded
By Emily Anderson, Finance and Operations Deputy Executive Director — Momentum continues to build around the construction of our new state-of-the-art facilities in Ellis and Brazoria Counties, with $104 million… Read more: New builds update – sites confirmed, legislature funded - Kicking off the school year
By Dr. Shelley McKinley, Sr. Director of Education — The theme for the Lone Star School District’s 2025 – 2026 school year is “Be Mindful of …Mission, Milieu, Momentum, Motivation,… Read more: Kicking off the school year - Legislative update
By Nathan McDaniel, Chief of Staff The Legislature once again made massive investments in TJJD and the juvenile justice system at large. Here are some of the key bills that… Read more: Legislative update - TJJD executives elected to leadership on State Behavioral Health Coordinating Council
By TJJD Communications — TJJD Deputy Executive Director Dr. Evan Norton was elected to Co-Chair the State Behavioral Health Coordinating Council (SBHCC) alongside Dr. Courtney Harvey, the Mental Health Statewide… Read more: TJJD executives elected to leadership on State Behavioral Health Coordinating Council - The Ron Jackson Care Committee invites you to join us for a 55th Anniversary Celebration!
On September 13, 1970 the first bell rang in the education building at the newly established Brownwood State Home and School for Girls. Mr. Ron Jackson was promoted to Superintendent… Read more: The Ron Jackson Care Committee invites you to join us for a 55th Anniversary Celebration! - TJJD interns make an impact
By TJJD Communications — This summer, TJJD hosted two interns at the Central Office in Austin. As a paid internship and an experiential learning opportunity, TJJD values the opportunity for… Read more: TJJD interns make an impact - Ron Jackson hosts successful career day
By TJJD Communications — The education department at Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Facility hosted a career day last month with participation from several local businesses and military recruiters. The… Read more: Ron Jackson hosts successful career day - For youth at Mart, a haircut shows who they are and what they can be
By Marion Murphy — A fresh haircut can turn your whole day around, adding an extra boost of confidence to carry with you throughout the day. When you look your… Read more: For youth at Mart, a haircut shows who they are and what they can be - Giddings youth get some heavy inspiration from powerlifting team
By TJJD Communications — Youth at Giddings State Juvenile Correctional Facility ended the school year with an exciting and inspiring event, brought by Sonz of A Beast Empowerment Project, founded… Read more: Giddings youth get some heavy inspiration from powerlifting team - Texas female inmates share their stories with TJJD youth
By TJJD Communications — Female inmates at the O’Daniel Unit of TDCJ shared insights about their incarceration, where they went wrong, and advice on how to get on the right… Read more: Texas female inmates share their stories with TJJD youth - Fort Worth parole officer credits communication for success
By David N. Krough, TJJD Communications — In the last year, TJJD Parole Officer Yvonne Garcia has managed an admirable feat: She did not have to revoke parole for any… Read more: Fort Worth parole officer credits communication for success - TJJD Training Team shares expertise at JJAEP conference on DBT, emotional intelligence and how trauma affects staff
By TJJD Training Department — The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) training team had the privilege of participating in the 2025 JJAEP Summer Conference, hosted by James Bateman at the… Read more: TJJD Training Team shares expertise at JJAEP conference on DBT, emotional intelligence and how trauma affects staff - Horse camp strengthens human connections for probation youths in Jasper County
By David Krough, TJJD Communications — Some East Texas youths are getting a chance to unplug and get in touch with the healing power of nature and each other by… Read more: Horse camp strengthens human connections for probation youths in Jasper County - TJJD launches ‘Token Economy’ program, motivating youth to build skills
By Barbara Kessler, TJJD Communications — We all need a little incentive to get going on some days. As adults we may set up rewards or incentives to motivate ourselves… Read more: TJJD launches ‘Token Economy’ program, motivating youth to build skills - Gainesville’s ‘Casas’ program caps a successful year of building woodshop projects and community connections
By Barbara Kessler, TJJD Communications — Our Gainesville campus celebrated an achievement this past week that shows how innovation and teamwork are sparking amazing new opportunities for TJJD youths and… Read more: Gainesville’s ‘Casas’ program caps a successful year of building woodshop projects and community connections - Giddings’ Lone Star High School book club focuses on personal reflection
Learning through reading: ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ By Giddings Lone Star High School book club team — At Giddings State Juvenile Correctional Facility’s Lone Star High School Southeast, students and… Read more: Giddings’ Lone Star High School book club focuses on personal reflection - Anne Garcia Fine joins TJJD as CFO
By TJJD Communications — TJJD is proud to announce that Anne Garcia Fine will be joining the agency as chief financial officer. Fine has worked for five years at the… Read more: Anne Garcia Fine joins TJJD as CFO - Gainesville youth dress for success with help from clothes closet volunteers
By David Krough, TJJD Communications — The “Clothes Closet” at the Gainesville State Juvenile Correctional Facility helps to outfit youth who are leaving with donated gently-used or new men’s and… Read more: Gainesville youth dress for success with help from clothes closet volunteers - Adult skill center helps highlight Mental Health Awareness Month at Giddings
By TJJD Communications — The Giddings State Juvenile Correctional Facility Care Committee held an event in coordination with Brothers Helping Hands Adult Skill Center in recognition of Mental Health Awareness… Read more: Adult skill center helps highlight Mental Health Awareness Month at Giddings - TJJD announces promotion of Robin Motley to superintendent at Giddings
By TJJD Communications — Robin Motley, who’s been assistant superintendent at the Giddings State Juvenile Correctional Facility since November 2022, has been promoted to superintendent. Motley also started her juvenile… Read more: TJJD announces promotion of Robin Motley to superintendent at Giddings - TJJD announces promotion of Luis Medina to superintendent at Evins
By TJJD Communications — Luis Medina, who’s worked for 11 years at the Evins State Juvenile Correctional Facility, in Edinburg, has been promoted to superintendent. He began in the top… Read more: TJJD announces promotion of Luis Medina to superintendent at Evins - TJJD Board honors John Johnson for 30-year service
By TJJD Communications Staff — TJJD’s Board of Directors honored 30-year agency employee John Johnson at their meeting on May 20. Johnson began work in 1995 as a youth activity… Read more: TJJD Board honors John Johnson for 30-year service - Mart career day brings inspiration for youth and local businesses
By TJJD Communications — The Mart State Juvenile Correctional Facility hosted a career day earlier this month as local businesses and organizations came out to talk to youth from the… Read more: Mart career day brings inspiration for youth and local businesses - Meet some of TJJD’s devoted volunteers
By TJJD Communications — This past April, which is National Volunteer Month, staff at some TJJD facilities talked with volunteers about why they devote their time to helping justice-involved youth… Read more: Meet some of TJJD’s devoted volunteers - Celebrating the dedication of Texas Juvenile Justice Professionals
By TJJD Communications — On Wednesday, April 16 more than 100 juvenile justice professionals from across Texas gathered at the Capitol to be recognized by members of the House and… Read more: Celebrating the dedication of Texas Juvenile Justice Professionals - Youth at Ayres House make a pet connection with ‘Zen Dog’
By David N. Krough, TJJD Communications — A small group of TJJD youth are starting to learn the ways of the “Zen Dog,” incorporating dog training skills with healing trauma… Read more: Youth at Ayres House make a pet connection with ‘Zen Dog’ - Forgiveness is the theme for Gainesville youth at weekend retreat
By Carmelo Rodriguez, Volunteer Coordinator, Gainesville State Juvenile Correctional Facility — The Gainesville State Juvenile Correctional Facility recently hosted a three-day event in collaboration with Kairos Torch ministries. Six youth… Read more: Forgiveness is the theme for Gainesville youth at weekend retreat - IT team launches new Connect case management system
By TJJD Communications — After weeks – no wait, months. Actually, strike that. After YEARS of work, the TJJD Connect project is complete! Connect will make case management at TJJD… Read more: IT team launches new Connect case management system - Dallas Co. Juvenile Probation ‘store’ offers food and clothing for youth families in need
By David N. Krough, TJJD Communications — Dallas County Juvenile Probation Services staff want to make sure that youth they serve can complete their educational and treatment programs successfully and… Read more: Dallas Co. Juvenile Probation ‘store’ offers food and clothing for youth families in need - Spring Break track meet offers a chance to compete for Mart students
By TJJD Communications — The Recreation Department hosted a track meet at Mart State Juvenile Correctional Facility over their spring break. Youth competed in shot put, discus, long jump and… Read more: Spring Break track meet offers a chance to compete for Mart students - Training session focuses on reunification for youth with siblings and families
By David N. Krough, TJJD Communications — Dr. Jacqueline Page, an expert in sexual behavior treatment, presented in Austin last week on family reunification training for juvenile justice staffers who… Read more: Training session focuses on reunification for youth with siblings and families - Ag mechanic students at Mart give old John Deere a fresh start
By David N. Krough, TJJD Communications — The Agricultural Mechanics students at Mart State Juvenile Correctional Facility recently refurbished a tractor as one of their class projects, but not without… Read more: Ag mechanic students at Mart give old John Deere a fresh start - Giddings youth learning life skills through basketball
By David N. Krough, TJJD Communications — There’s a lot more to just winning games when it comes to sports for youth at TJJD. The boys on the Lone Star… Read more: Giddings youth learning life skills through basketball - Wilco’s Matt Smith joining TJJD
By TJJD Communications — TJJD has hired a new member for its executive team to lead work on a statewide community-based continuum of care model. Former Williamson County Juvenile Services… Read more: Wilco’s Matt Smith joining TJJD - ‘Teen whisperer’ provides hope for Texas human trafficking survivors
By David N. Krough, TJJD Communications — Child trafficking survivors call Midland Juvenile Probation Officer Vicki Maestas the “teen whisperer” for her abilities to help them transcend trauma and begin… Read more: ‘Teen whisperer’ provides hope for Texas human trafficking survivors
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