Press Kit

Background

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) is the state’s juvenile justice agency, committed to creating safer communities by helping youth develop the skills, support systems, and opportunities they need to succeed. TJJD partners with local juvenile probation departments, state agencies, courts, schools, families, and community organizations to provide a continuum of services that promotes accountability, rehabilitation, and positive youth development. 

TJJD serves youth at a state level who have entered the juvenile justice system in their local counties and were no longer able to be served in those counties due to level of need and services required to help the youth rehabilitate. At TJJD we provide evidence-based programs at our secure facilities including specialized residential placement and treatment, educational services, vocational training, health care, family engagement initiatives, and community reentry support. The agency also provides funding, oversight, training, and technical assistance to Texas’ county juvenile probation departments, helping ensure youth receive services that are appropriate, effective, and close to home whenever possible. 

By focusing on accountability and rehabilitation, TJJD works to reduce recidivism, strengthen families, improve outcomes for youth, and enhance public safety across Texas. 

Created in 2011 through the consolidation of the Texas Youth Commission and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, TJJD was established to create a more unified, accountable, and effective juvenile justice system. 

Today, the agency emphasizes evidence-based practices, trauma-informed care, individualized treatment, and community-based interventions that address the underlying factors contributing to delinquent behavior. 

TJJD recognizes that most youth involved in the juvenile justice system have experienced significant adversity — including trauma, mental health challenges, family instability, educational barriers, or substance use—and seeks to address these needs through coordinated treatment and support, while emphasizing accountability and rehabilitation. 

Fact Check

Executive Team

Shandra Carter – Executive Director

Shandra Carter was named the Executive Director of TJJD in December 2022. She had served as Interim Executive Director of the agency since April 2022 and previously worked as the agency’s Deputy Executive Director for State Services. Carter brings a wealth of knowledge to the position as an expert in juvenile justice. An accomplished professional with 20 years of experience in corrections and juvenile residential care, she has dedicated her career to promoting public safety and has specialized in child development, abuse and neglect, and sexual violence treatment. She has worked primarily in residential and correctional settings, developing trauma- informed programming and programs to serve child sex-trafficking victims.

Carter earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Law, Societies & Justice from the University of Washington. She went on to earn her master’s degree in Social Work at Eastern Washington University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor in Texas, as well as a Licensed Childcare Administrator. When not on the job, Carter enjoys spending time with her husband, trying to keep up with her energetic teenager, and playing with the family’s three dogs

Sean Grove – Deputy Executive Director

Sean Grove serves as TJJD’s Deputy Executive Director. Grove oversees the operations of the agency’s secure correctional facilities, education services, medical services, the Juvenile Justice Training Academy, and the Monitoring and Inspections Division. Prior to this role, Sean served as TJJD’s Chief of Staff providing direct support to the Executive Director and other agency leaders. Sean has worked in the public sector in county-level criminal justice agencies and assisted Governor Abbott’s policy team on criminal justice issues during the 85th legislative session. Before joining TJJD, he was in private practice representing governmental entities on a wide range of issues.

Grove grew up in Dallas and received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Kansas Wesleyan University. He earned his law degree from Texas A&M University School of Law in Fort Worth, where he concentrated on criminal law, justice, and policy issues.

Evan Norton, Psy.D. – Deputy Executive Director

As Deputy Executive Director for TJJD, Dr. Evan Norton oversees the probation, parole, integrated treatment, medical and research divisions. Dr. Norton is a licensed clinical forensic psychologist practicing in the state of Texas. He is recognized as an expert in treatment for violent offending, risk assessment, and trauma-informed programming. He has presented nationally and internationally on topics such as psychopathy, interpersonal acceptance-rejection, and psychometrics. He is frequently called to present and testify in court proceedings. He was a decorated college athlete, having accepted an athletic scholarship to attend Concordia University, Irvine where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He completed his master’s and doctoral degrees in Clinical Forensic Psychology at Alliant International University, San Diego. Norton completed his post-doctoral training at the McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility, in Mart, and served as the Director of Clinical Services at the Giddings State School before moving into agency-wide leadership roles.

Emily Anderson – Finance and Operations Deputy Executive Director

Emily Anderson joined the agency in 2014 as the Director of Fiscal Affairs. In August 2018, she became the Chief Financial Officer, and in January 2020, she assumed the additional title of Chief Operating Officer. Anderson has deep experience in state government. Before her work at TJJD, she spent 11 years at the Texas Department of Transportation as a lead budget analyst and a manager of business operations. A proud Red Raider, she is a graduate of Texas Tech University.

Nathan McDaniel – Chief of Staff

Nathan McDaniel joined TJJD in 2024 as the Director of Stakeholder Relations and became Chief of Staff in June 2025. McDaniel’s experience spans the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, most recently serving as Director of Government Relations for the Railroad Commission of Texas. Previously he worked as District Director for U.S. Rep. Chip Roy and as Communications Director for Texas Sen. Donna Campbell, M.D. In these roles, McDaniel engaged community leaders, government officials, and other stakeholders on a variety of policy issues.  

McDaniel holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University and a master’s in Public Leadership from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

Brand Assets

Downloadable high-resolution logos and brand usage guidelines.

TJJD Logo

TJJD Seal

State Seal

Brand Guidelines

Image Bank

Recent Articles About TJJD

Social Media

Contact Information