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W e l c o m e
Please enjoy the inaugural
issue of the Dallas County
Juvenile Department
newsletter.
This quarterly publication
highlights the work the
department and its
community partners does to
put youth first.
We welcome your feedback,
ideas, and comments about
our work for the Dallas
County community.
We are always looking for
editors and reporters for the
newsletter. Please contact
Allison Harris,
Allison.Harris@dallascounty.org
Treatment Center for Girls Breaks Ground
Girls ages 13-17 who have experienced
abuse and exploitation in human
trafficking will benefit from the new Letot
Girls’ Residential Treatment Center, a first
of its kind in Texas and the nation.
On Wednesday, September 5th, Dallas
County officials and private donors came
together under the morning sun, to break
ground for the new 55,000 square foot
Letot Girl’s Residential Treatment Center.
This center is the first of its kind in North
Texas and the nation. It will be a national
model for helping abused and exploited
girls. Girls will benefit with six to 12
months of treatment and shelter with on-
going community support for themselves
and their family.
The Letot Girls’ Residential Treatment
Center provides a place in Dallas County
where girls and their families from Dallas
County will have access to a continuum of
services close to home. Girls will get the
attention, protection and services they
need close to home giving them a higher
chance of success in their future.
Currently, the only option for Dallas
County girls to receive these types of
services is with providers outside of the
Dallas region, some as far as Victoria,
Texas. A girls-only residential treatment
center ensures that girls and their families
receive on going community support.
The new center is the product of a joint
public and private effort to raise the
necessary funds for construction.
Community leaders Lauren Embrey, Craig
Evans, Sarah Losinger and Caren Prothro
co-chaired the campaign that raised $8.9
million from private donors toward a goal
of $9.4 million for construction. The
Dallas County Juvenile Department will
operate the facility with the cost savings
from placing girls in out-of-county
facilities.
The Letot Girls’ Residential Treatment
Center will be next to the current Letot
Center in North Dallas. The Letot Center
will continue to offer short-term shelter
and care to runaways and youth in crisis.
Construction of the new facility will begin
this fall and is expected to take 12 to 14
months to complete.
To learn more about the new Letot Girls
Residential Treatment Center or to
become a Friend of Letot to support
future programs, check out
www. LetotGirlsCenter.org
this issue
Treatment Center Groundbreaking P.1
Charter School Renamed P.2
Honoring a Leader’s Legacy P.3
I S S U E Newsletter For
Dallas County
Juvenile
Department Youth FirstYouth FirstYouth First 01
N o v e m b e r
2 0 1 2
★ Youth First ★ Dallas County Juvenile Department ★ 2600 Lone Star Drive ★ Dallas, Texas 75212 ★ 214.698.4212 ★
Ms. Lauren Embry, Mr. Craig Evans, Dr. Terry Smith
Teachers at the Youth Village
Academy for Academic
Excellence Campus take the
extra mile to ensure their
student’s success. A recent
letter by a parent highlighted
the dedication to educational
success that Academy for
Academic Excellence teachers
possess. A parent commented
about the Youth Village
teachers:
“THE STAFF AND
TEACHERS HERE ARE
TRUE EXAMPLES OF
THOSE WHO ARE REALLY
WANTING TO EDUCATE
OUR CHILDREN AND DO
HAVE THEIR BEST
INTEREST AT HEART.”
The Dallas County Juvenile
Department wants to recognize
its teachers with the Academy
for Academic Excellence for
their continuous efforts to put
youth’s educational needs first.
Teachers and administrators
work diligently to close
educational achievement gaps
and eliminate their students
future involvement with the
justice system.
The 2012-2013 school year marks a new
era for the Dallas County Juvenile Justice
Charter School.
The Dallas County Juvenile Justice Charter
School is now called the Academy for
Academic Excellence. The new name
reflects the high standards the Dallas
County Juvenile Department expects for
its students and staff. Youth attending
classes at any of the five campuses of the
Academy for Academic Excellence will not
be hindered by their past with the new
school system name on their transcript.
The Academy for Academic Excellence
will now be the school of record on each
student’s transcript. This minimizes
potential college’s and employer’s
knowledge about the student’s
involvement with the juvenile justice
system. Any student who attended one
of the charter school campuses from July
2012 onward will have The Academy for
Academic Excellence listed as their school
of record.
The search for a new name for the charter
school system began last winter.
Students, teachers, and campus
administrators brainstormed and
developed a list of possible charter school
names. Deputy Director for Education
Beverly Nolan wanted the charter school
community to develop a name that
supports and encourages an optimistic
learning environment. In May, campus
administrators submitted a list of 12
names to the juvenile board for
consideration. After discussion, the
juvenile board unanimously decided on
the Academy for Academic Excellence.
The Texas Education Agency formerly
approved the name change in October.
The Academy for Academic Excellence
operates five school campuses for youth
in grades 4-12. They teach students
residing in our institutions, attending drug
treatment programs, or those expelled
from traditional school settings. These
schools create an environment that is
engaging, resourceful, and favorable to
learning that closes large academic
achievement gaps. For more information
about the Academy for Academic
Excellence, please contact Mary Borrego,
Superintendent,
Mary.Borrego@dallascounty.org
Dallas County Juvenile Justice Charter School now called the Dallas County Juvenile Justice Charter School now called the Dallas County Juvenile Justice Charter School now called the
Academy for Academic ExcellenceAcademy for Academic ExcellenceAcademy for Academic Excellence
★ Youth First ★ Dallas County Juvenile Department ★ November 2012 ★ Page 2
Students prepare for a test.
★★★ Youth First Youth First Youth First ★★★ Dallas County Juvenile Department Dallas County Juvenile Department Dallas County Juvenile Department ★ ★ ★ 2600 Lone Star Drive 2600 Lone Star Drive 2600 Lone Star Drive ★ ★ ★ Dallas Texas 75212 Dallas Texas 75212 Dallas Texas 75212 ★★★ 214.698.4212 214.698.4212 214.698.4212 ★★★
Youth FirstYouth FirstYouth First Mindsets
Acts of kindness, dedication, and courage from Juvenile Department Employees .
Classroom at the Academy for
Academic Excellence
The Juvenile Detention Center is now called
the Dr. Jerome McNeil Jr. Detention Center in
honor of the late Dr. Jerome McNeil Jr. who
served as assistant director of the Dallas
County Juvenile Department in the early
eighties.
Dr. McNeil was hired in 1981 as the highest
ranking African American in Dallas County. Dr.
McNeil dedicated his life to advocacy for
juveniles and families. A servant leader, he led
the congregation at Christian Chapel Temple
of Faith in North Dallas for more than 20 years.
Dr. McNeil’s advocacy and leadership in the
field of juvenile justice and to the citizens of
Dallas County exemplify the characteristics
that the Dallas County Juvenile Department
honors. An official naming ceremony will take
place in December.
The Dr. Jerome
McNeil Jr. Detention
Center is located
within the Henry
Wade Juvenile
Justice Center on
Lone Star Drive. It is
a secure supervision
facility for youth ages
10-17 who await trial
and are unable to return into the community.
At the Dr. Jerome McNeil Jr. Detention Center,
youth attend school at the Academy for
Academic Excellence and receive needed
physical and mental health services.
For more information regarding the Dr. Jerome McNeil Jr. Detention Center please contact Ervin Taylor, Deputy Director for Institutional Services, Ervin.Taylor@dallascounty.org.
Dr. Jerome McNeil, Jr. Detention Center Celebrates Leader’s LegacyDr. Jerome McNeil, Jr. Detention Center Celebrates Leader’s LegacyDr. Jerome McNeil, Jr. Detention Center Celebrates Leader’s Legacy
Our Employees
put
Youth FirstYouth FirstYouth First Each month Juvenile
Department honors an
employee who exhibits
the Youth First mantra in
their profession.
Recent employees
honored are: August Savannah Carrillo
Court Assessment
September Byron Thompson Probation Services October John Miller
District Supervisor
Honorees
Attend lunch with Dr.
Terry Smith
Nominated for Dallas
County Employee of the
Month
Recognized at the
monthly staff meeting
Attend that month’s
Café Momentum pop-up
dinner.
★ Youth First ★ Dallas County Juvenile Department ★ November 2012 ★ Page 3
★★★ Youth First Youth First Youth First ★★★ Dallas County Juvenile Department Dallas County Juvenile Department Dallas County Juvenile Department ★ ★ ★ 2600 Lone Star Drive 2600 Lone Star Drive 2600 Lone Star Drive ★ ★ ★ Dallas Texas 75212 Dallas Texas 75212 Dallas Texas 75212 ★★★ 214.698.4212 214.698.4212 214.698.4212 ★★★
After serving six years on the Dallas County Juvenile Board, Judge Lorraine Raggio is stepping down from her position in advancement of her December retirement.
Judge Raggio is the presiding Judge of the 162nd Civil District Court. Before entering judicial office, Judge Raggio worked as a litigation attorney in Dallas and served as an assistant district attorney in Dallas County. Judge Raggio plans to spend more time with her husband, children and grandchildren. We thank Judge Raggio for her commitment to the citizens of Dallas County.
Judge Craig Smith was appointed to the Juvenile Board in September 2012. He is the Judge of the 192nd District Court in Dallas. Before taking the bench in 2006, Judge Smith spent over 25 years as a civil trial lawyer and is board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in both civil and trial law and personal injury law.
The Dallas County Juvenile Department is governed by the nine member board. Judicial representatives, elected county officials, and community members comprise the Juvenile Board. The board meets at 5 pm on last the Monday of the month at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Building.
Dr. Jerome McNeil Jr.
Judge Craig Smith Joins the Juvenile BoardJudge Craig Smith Joins the Juvenile BoardJudge Craig Smith Joins the Juvenile Board
Judge Lorraine Raggio
Judge Craig Smith
★ Youth First ★ Dallas County Juvenile Department ★ November 2012 ★ Page 4
New Coordinator to Lead Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative
★★★ Youth First Youth First Youth First ★★★ Dallas County Juvenile Department Dallas County Juvenile Department Dallas County Juvenile Department ★ ★ ★ 2600 Lone Star Drive 2600 Lone Star Drive 2600 Lone Star Drive ★ ★ ★ Dallas Texas 75212 Dallas Texas 75212 Dallas Texas 75212 ★★★ 214.698.4212 214.698.4212 214.698.4212 ★★★
Good Works in the Media SpotlightGood Works in the Media SpotlightGood Works in the Media Spotlight
CO
RE
ST
RA
TE
GIE
S
Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative
Collaboration
Data-driven decisions
Objective admissions
Alternatives to detention
Case processing reforms
Special detention cases
Reducing racial disparities
Conditions of confinement
Welcome Dr. Renee Walker to the Dallas County Juvenile Department family. Dr. Walker serves as the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Juvenile Detention Initiative (JDAI) project coordinator.
After more than 15 years of innovation and replication, JDAI is one of the nation’s most effective, influential, and widespread juvenile justice system reform initiatives, with over 100 JDAI sites in 24 states and the District of Columbia. The Casey Foundation’s juvenile justice reform agenda is designed to improve the odds that youth involved with the juvenile services department make a successful transition to
adulthood, primarily by facilitating reforms that lock up fewer youth, rely more on proven, family-focused interventions, and create opportunities for positive youth development.
Dallas County Juvenile Department has made substantial gains toward JDAI’s youth-first objectives, and Dr. Walker promises to help create interagency alliances to achieve concrete outcomes in the priority areas of :
Reducing racial disparities in detention
Reducing the use of secure confinement for special cases of violation of probation, warrant and behavioral health
Enhancing evaluation of our continuum of services, including the matching of placements and placement completion
Increasing collaborative focus on disciplinary practices of Dallas County school districts, and
Supporting cohesive community based day reporting centers with expanded youth and family programming
For more information please contact Dr. Renee Walker, Renee.Walker@dallascounty.org
Programs, initiatives, and friends have been recognized by local and state media sources. Click the story description to check some of the stories out.
Dallas Morning News
Letot Girls Center groundbreaking and Dallas County’s initiatives to help victims of human trafficking. Youth Village gardening and culinary programs. WFAA Channel 8 Letot Girls Center groundbreaking. Texas Tribune County Juvenile Departments doing effective and efficient and the need for more funding. Dallas Examiner Dallas County youth beating the odds through specialty programs.
Dr. Renee Walker
★ Youth First ★ Dallas County Juvenile Department ★ November 2012 ★ Page 5
★★★ Youth First Youth First Youth First ★★★ Dallas County Juvenile Department Dallas County Juvenile Department Dallas County Juvenile Department ★ ★ ★ 2600 Lone Star Drive 2600 Lone Star Drive 2600 Lone Star Drive ★ ★ ★ Dallas Texas 75212 Dallas Texas 75212 Dallas Texas 75212 ★★★ 214.698.4212 214.698.4212 214.698.4212 ★★★
D e p a r t m e n t H i g h l i g h t sD e p a r t m e n t H i g h l i g h t sD e p a r t m e n t H i g h l i g h t s
Holiday Happenings
November and December mark a time
to reflect and be thankful. This year several
facilities and programs will celebrate the
holiday season with youth and staff.
December 6th
Youth Village Holiday Celebration
December 6th
Dr. Jerome McNeil, Jr. Detention Center
Swing Shift Holiday Celebration
December 6th Lyle B. Medlock Center Holiday Celebration
December 13th
Dr. Jerome McNeil, Jr. Detention Center
3-11 Shift Holiday Celebration
December 14th All Staff Appreciation Pancake
Breakfast
December 20th
Letot Center Holiday Party
December 20th
Dr. Jerome McNeil, Jr. Detention Center
7-3 Shift Holiday Celebration
December 21st
Substance Abuse Unit Holiday Celebration
ESTEEM Court Graduation:
November 14, 2012 The Girls ESTEEM Court is a diversion program for
girls at-risk to become victims of human
trafficking. The program began in January 2012,
and November 14th marks the second graduation
ceremony. For more information, please contact
Connie Espino, CEspino@dallascounty.org
Youth Village Retail Services Vocational Program
Youth Village is launching a new program to
prepare select residents for obtaining and
maintaining employment in the retail industry
upon their successful release from Youth Village.
The program is sponsored by the Youth Village
Resources of Dallas and implemented by the
Texas Workforce Commission. For more
information, please contact Marilyn Boss,
Marilyn.Boss@dallascounty.org
Mental Health Court Expands
The Mental Health Court is adding an additional
probation officer position and part-time family
functional therapy counselor. This six-month
diversion program works with first time offenders
with a mental health diagnosis and in need of
mental health services. Adding the new positions
enables the court to serve up to 44 youth per
year. For more information, please contact Diane
Boyd, Diane.Boyd@dallascounty.org
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