report from the Juvenile Probation Commission - Texas Juvenile ...

Juvenile program participation is described as reported by local juvenile probation departments through the monthlyextract data. TJPC provides 34 broad categories of program types for departments to use when reporting programparticipation. This count includes program types that serve at-risk youth not yet under department supervision,programs for the parents of juveniles, and programs that are not typically reported as programs (community servicerestitution). Departments determine program type from definitions provided by the Commission, however,programs reported within any one category may differ in curriculum content, provider credentials and time spent inthe program.The introduction of the TJPC Program and Services Registry in fiscal year 2011 has allowed TJPC to gain a betterunderstanding of the programs offered throughout the state. Programs offered by juvenile probation departmentsserve a diverse population. Nearly 90% of all programs serve both males and females and 83% of programs servejuveniles of all ages. More than 23% of programs target juveniles on probation, while another 34% of programs areoffered to juveniles who are on any level of supervision. More than half of programs serve juveniles with any offensetype, although 4% of programs target juveniles with a felony-level offense. Throughout the state 57 programs aredescribed serving the parents or family members of juveniles under department supervision, not the juvenilethemselves. The majority of programs are open to all juveniles although 29% of programs required juveniles to meetat least one eligibility requirement, such as age, gender or the need for educational assistance.Despite the similarities shared by many programs, differences in curriculum and providers allow programs of thesame type to vary in content throughout the state. Purchased curricula and materials were used for 12% ofprograms while 27% of programs were developed by juvenile probation department staff. In fiscal year 2011, 40% ofprograms were administered by departments and 40% were administered by contract providers. Local mentalhealth authorities provided about 4% of programming services.In fiscal year 2011, more than 66% of programs were funded by one funding source. Funding sources outlined in theProgram and Services Registry include TJPC grant funds, local funding, federal funds, and other state grant funding.TJPC grant funds most frequently used for programs included the Intensive Community-Based Program grant (GrantX) and the Community Corrections Diversion Program grant (Grant C). Six percent of programs receive non-TJPCstate funding and nearly 37% of programs report using local funds for support. Twenty-five percent of programswere offered at no cost to the department while 8% of programs require parents or family to pay a portion of thecost. The programs that are most likely to receive funding from multiple sources are counseling and substance abusetreatment.Many programs incorporate more than one treatment component into their required curriculum, focusing on targetareas such as anger management, substance abuse prevention and decision making. Thirty-two percent of programshave one or two program components, 10% have at least five components integrated into programming. Theexpected length of stay in each program varies based on the components addressed during treatment and/or theseverity of the offense for which the program is required. Nearly half of all programs anticipate a programmingperiod of less than 90 days, but some programs can last for well over a year. Programs that require extensivedelivery, services or treatment, such as mental health court and sex offender treatment, often last over 180 days.Meanwhile, programs for anger management and vocational skills often last less than one month.14 TEXAS JUVENILE PROBATION COMMISSION, DECEMBER 2011