This morning we should get a lot more detail on Sen. John Whitmire's plan to abolish or phase out the Texas Youth Commission.
The Joint Select Committee on Texas Youth Commission Operations and Management will meet today at 10 a.m., and the online live feed for the event will be here once it begins.
I've got a doctor's appointment so I'll miss much of the hearing and have to listen to the archived video once its done. But anyone who does attend or watch online should use this post as an open thread to discuss what's going on.
I joined the hearing after 2hours and 41 minutes. It sounds like the same old stuff; talk, talk, talk. TYC officials are still studying to determine what is required for programs etc. etc. etc..
ReplyDeleteRecidivism rate is OVER 50%. Staff Turn-over is OVER 40%. Only 40% of the youth are actually receiving some of the tratment outlined in their Individual Treatment Plan (ITP), Or 60% ARE NOT!
Dr. N just stated he estimates it will be 15 months before any program can be implemented!
Retired 2004
LOL.... Lot of talk going on there. Seems they get off subject easily but that seems normal from hearings I've attended or watched in the past. Seems the legislature needs to implement some structure to their meetings.
ReplyDeleteJohn Whitmire is making a lot of good points. Testimony indicates health care is in worse shape than TDCJ (I didn't think that was possible). TYC Reps are still vacillating.
ReplyDeleteRetired 2004
Perry has given Whitmire the rope with a noose tied in it. Poor ole whitmire is hanging himself and needs to wake up.
ReplyDeleteThe committee asked and asked and asked Mr. Walenta, what tools they need, what are the costs, we will figure it out. Why didn't tell them the realities of what is costs to be competitive with LSOTPs and Psychologists and professional staff.
ReplyDeleteThe good committee missed the population of Giddings by 15 percent.
ReplyDeleteThe good committee does not even know what the treatment programs are.
The good Walenta cannot even describe what the treatment programs are, in terms that make any sense.
That's because the good conservators ran off or tossed out all the good people that were good juvenile justice professionals. Good bye TYC.
ReplyDeleteI agree that many good people with wonderful experience and aspirations were lost but I am not losing hope.
ReplyDeleteThe superintendent from Corsicana has been called in to oversee the development/ implementation of the new treatment programming. She will do a far better job than the current batch of taggers on.
There are experienced qualified people coming in at the heads of departments.
I did find it interesting that the conservator proposed not to build the 25 million dollar facility near an urban area but to use that money to build capacity? what does that mean?
The problem with getting the treatment programming started has nothing to do with training and "stuff" as Mr.W. so eloquently put it. The treatment components of CONexTions are not that difficult, especially if you have well educated staff.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is the policy which goes along with the new treatment program, which establishes the parameters of progress, does not exist.