Texas Juvenile Justice Department

Honored to have been featured in this edition of Correctional News. Our team has been hard at work, defining and quantifying what makes the best teams so effective—spoiler alert, it’s “teamliness”. #TJJD #JuvenileJustice Article link: https://lnkd.in/gAx5EAc8

Treatment doesn’t only happen in counseling sessions, in fact at TJJD, it happens in the everyday moments. This week, we’re taking a closer look at what treatment is at TJJD and we are starting by talking about the Milieu Model — an approach that turns daily interactions into opportunities for growth and rehabilitation. Every interaction has the potential to reinforce healthy behaviors, build coping skills, and help youth move toward long-term success. Swipe through to learn how. ➡️ #MentalHealthAwareness

Today’s Board meeting highlighted the continued work to strengthen safety, operations, accountability, and treatment across the Texas juvenile justice system. Director Shandra Carter, Board members, and agency leadership provided updates on facility new builds, ACA accreditation efforts, and the current status of youth, staff, and facilities across the state.   Discussions addressed the increasing severity and complexity of violence within today’s juvenile population and the evolving challenges facing juvenile corrections. With these challenges, TJJD remains, first and foremost, a corrections agency committed to maintaining safe and secure operations, while continuing to provide treatment, rehabilitative strategies, and opportunities for youth to take accountability for their actions and learn new skills for improvement.   Additional conversations included strengthening support systems for staff, status of halfway house operations, population shifts across facilities, and the importance of data-driven decision-making to improve operations and outcomes. We also want to extend a special congratulations to Dedra Black and Deidre Hernandez, who were recognized during today’s Board meeting for 25 years of service to TYC and TJJD. Their dedication, consistency, and commitment to serving the agency over the years has made a lasting impact, and we are incredibly grateful for all they have contributed throughout their careers.   Through collaboration, accountability, and a continued focus on safety and treatment, TJJD remains committed to supporting staff, protecting communities, and giving youth the opportunity to build more successful futures. We appreciate the continued partnership and support of our Board and the incredible commitment of our staff on the line as we navigate an ever-evolving juvenile justice landscape.

We’re continuing our Leadership Spotlight series by highlighting Marqus Butler, Director of Probation and Reentry Supports!   Marqus brings more than 25 years of experience in social services, juvenile justice, mental health, and systems development to his role at TJJD. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and Counseling from East Central University while attending on a football scholarship, and later obtained a Master’s Degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma with a focus in Organizational Change and Development and Administrative Leadership.   His career began in children’s mental health, where he worked in adolescent psychiatric care, life skills coaching, quality assurance, and statewide systems coordination. He later served in leadership roles supporting Oklahoma’s Systems of Care initiative and helped strengthen reentry programming for youthful offenders through partnerships with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Marqus also contributed to national systems improvement efforts supporting youth and families through partnerships with organizations including Georgetown University and Portland State University.   Marqus joined TJJD in 2018 as Manager of Reentry Systems and Parole Operations and later became Director of Probation and Reentry Supports. Since joining the agency, he has helped strengthen reentry and aftercare systems across Texas by advancing trauma-informed practices, expanding partnerships, and using research and data to improve outcomes for youth and families. He also supports efforts focused on maximizing local resources, strengthening collaboration with probation departments and providers, and building systems that continue evolving through innovation and continuous improvement.   He says his favorite part of the work is engaging with and learning from local chiefs, families, secure leadership teams, and aftercare providers across Texas. Marqus is passionate about helping families and marginalized communities thrive and prioritizes creating a culture grounded in communication, collaboration, psychological safety, generous curiosity, and continuous learning.   Among the accomplishments that have impacted him most are seeing youth successfully complete parole and move forward toward stable futures after leaving TJJD care.   Stay tuned as we continue our Leadership Spotlight series and highlight more of the leaders making a difference across TJJD.

Reminder! The Texas Juvenile Justice Board will hold its quarterly Board meeting on Friday, May 15. We look forward to updating the Board on agency progress, ongoing initiatives, and the work being done across TJJD to support youth, staff, and communities throughout Texas. The meeting will also include important discussions related to agency operations, strategic priorities, and continued efforts to strengthen outcomes for youth in our care. Interested in hearing the latest updates from TJJD? Join us in person or register to attend the meeting virtually using the link below. https://lnkd.in/g-ta6SWT If you would like to provide public comment, please email boardmaterials@tjjd.texas.gov and indicate whether you plan to comment virtually or in person. The deadline to register for public comment is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 14.

Looking for a stable and purposeful career? We have the opportunity for you! A career at TJJD offers competitive pay, strong state benefits, retirement, paid training, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of Texas youth every day. Whether you are beginning your career or bringing years of experience, there is a place for you on our team. Check out this week's featured openings to see where you can begin making a difference: 🔹 CTE Teacher – Culinary: https://lnkd.in/enDFyrAA 🔹 Maintenance Specialist: https://lnkd.in/eEWaEDbw 🔹 Juvenile Correctional Officer: https://lnkd.in/gu2mRR8v 🔹 Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor I–III: https://lnkd.in/dtZw5JUw 🔹 Program Health Specialist: https://lnkd.in/gVfmJiNT Take the next step toward a challenging and rewarding career that invests in your future and apply today!

Last but certainly not least, we’re recognizing the dedicated nurses at TJJD during National Nurse Appreciation Week. Nurses at TJJD bring compassion, adaptability, patience, and professionalism to their work every day. Whether providing ongoing care for chronic conditions, responding to sick calls, or stepping in during critical moments, they are a steady and trusted presence for both youth and staff. The work is demanding, but through our partnership with University of Texas Medical Branch and the support of teams across our facilities, nurses continue to make a meaningful impact by helping youth receive the care and support they need for better outcomes. This Nurses Appreciation Week, we’re proud to spotlight the people behind the scrubs and show the important work they do each and every day. Nurses, thank you for your incredible dedication to educating, caring for, and striving for growth and recovery alongside the youth we serve.

Most people will never see what it’s like to work inside a juvenile correctional facility. They won’t see the early mornings and late nights, the constant movement, or the critical thinking that goes into split-second decisions. But our Juvenile Correctional Officers live this reality every single day. More than half of our workforce serves as JCOs, providing a steady, reliable presence behind every routine and every response, guiding youth toward better choices. It’s demanding work that requires patience, accountability, and the strength to show up consistently, day after day, in mind, body, and spirit. This Correctional Officer Appreciation Week, we’re offering a closer look into the day-to-day life of a JCO—so you can better understand the impact our staff makes. To our JCOs, thank you for the work that often goes unseen, for the consistency that builds trust, and for the vital role you play in keeping everyone safe. Your dedication drives this agency forward and lays the foundation for our mission. We are deeply grateful for your commitment to Texas youth and communities.

A day in the life of a teacher in our facilities is about creating a safe, stable learning environment where students can focus and engage. Throughout the day, teachers balance instruction with creating rapport with youth, while using patience, adaptability, and clear expectations to keep students on track. The work is not without obstacles. Helping youth who have struggled in education previously and are often at vastly different stages in their schooling is difficult. Progress takes time, but the impact is clear when youth start seeing new possibilities for their future. For #teachersappreciationweek, we want to recognize and appreciate the incredible commitment TJJD teachers make to giving youth the education and confidence they need for future success. You make a difference for youth, families, and our communities! Thanks you, Teachers! 💛🧑🏫

This week, we recognize Correctional Officers Appreciation Week and I want to take a moment to personally acknowledge the professionals who do this work every day. I began my career in juvenile corrections in Washington state, and then spent nine years working in adult corrections there. Combined with the past eight years in juvenile corrections in Texas, this work represents the majority of my professional life. I have seen firsthand the complexity, the pressure, and the responsibility that comes with this role. Correctional officers are not just responsible for security. They are responsible for stability. For structure. For consistency in environments where those things matter most. They are often the difference between escalation and de-escalation, between chaos and control, and ultimately between failure and the opportunity for change. In juvenile justice, that responsibility carries an additional layer—our officers are part of the rehabilitative process. They model behavior, reinforce expectations, and help create the conditions where growth is possible. At the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, our mission is clear: to advance positive outcomes for youth and promote safer communities. That mission does not happen without correctional officers who show up every day with professionalism, resilience, and commitment. This week is an opportunity to recognize that service but the impact of their work is felt every single day. To all of our correctional officers: thank you for what you do, and for the difference you make!