January 2023 | Vol. 2, Issue 1 |
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In This Issue
From the Directors
Happy New Year HCJPD!
January Awareness Month
HCJPD Org Chart
The Equity Team
Helpful Resources
Open Enrollment 2023
Employee Spotlight
Deputy Holiday Pancake Breakfast
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As we enter a new year and embark on the next chapter of HCJPD, my hope is that we continue on a path moving us away from the different challenges we all experienced the past couple of years. These challenges have forced us to adopt to a “new normal,” and will continue to evolve post-pandemic and strengthen HCJPD!
HCJPD has adopted a youth justice approach that focuses on providing opportunities that increases the ability for a young person to thrive. Overall, we have seen a significant decrease in referrals equating to less young people in our system. The percentage of young people diverted away from formal system involvement exceeds the national average, resulting in less youth on formal probation and in facilities.
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Henry Gonzales
Executive Director / Chief Juvenile Probation Officer
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We have only a fraction of young people in private placement than we did five years ago. Today, our residential facilities have a very different look and feel to them and are more conducive to therapeutic treatment. At this point, we are making great advances in serving and supporting justice involved youth.
Like many jurisdictions across the country, we experienced a major staffing shortage of direct care staff and the impact has been felt by all facility personnel. The population in our facilities are made up of young people who are being charged with more serious offenses. With the commitment and dedication of our staff, we have persevered through difficult circumstances. And overall, we have done a phenomenal job in creating a more positive youth justice system. None of this could have been possible without all of you, the true juvenile justice practitioners who everyday demonstrate how things can and should be done.
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For 2023, the focus will be our staff - those individuals whose passion for making a positive impact on young people brought them into this field - and doing all we can to retain them, while recruiting at the highest level. We want to focus and solidify that a career in the juvenile justice system is positive and rewarding.
There is no doubt that adequate compensation will be important; however, we know the County’s current budget deficit will make this challenging to address this, but this will not stop us from asking, citing the exemplary transformative accomplishments we have made within the department. Lina Garcia, our new Deputy Director of Human Resources, is experienced in employee recruitment and retention. I am confident we will make great strides in this area. Please join me in welcoming her to the department.
I wish each and every one of you a great 2023!
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As most of you know, I will be retiring at the end of this month. HCJPD is a big family, and I will not get to talk to most of you before I leave – I truly wish I could. Truthfully, it is hard for me to find words to express my immense gratitude for allowing me to become part the HCJPD family.
Through my years working with this department, I’ve come to see the kindness and care our staff has for the young people and families we serve. It has not been easy, but your work has resulted in HCJPD becoming a model for other juvenile agencies throughout the country.
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Dr. Diana Quintana
Assistant Executive Director
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You were able to turn the challenges that COVID-19 presented, into improvements. Change is a process and is never easy. Despite the barriers and challenges you have managed to make this department better every year.
I appreciate all of your support and friendships, which made my decision to retire a difficult one. However, I’m very confident Dr. Shelton and the rest of the executive team will provide the guidance necessary to keep you going in the right direction and to make this department even better.
Thanks again, it has been both a pleasure and a privilege!
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We want to thank our amazing staff for the incredible work done in 2022,
it wouldn't have been possible without you.
Wishing you all a prosperous 2023!
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January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Every year since 2010, the President has dedicated the month to raising awareness about human trafficking and to educate the public about how to identify and prevent this crime.
This month is dedicated to raising awareness and educating people about the different forms of human trafficking, learning the signs of trafficking, and how we can support trafficking survivors.
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HCJPD Organizational Chart |
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Have you ever wondered how our department all fits together? If so, you're not alone!
The HCJPD Organizational Chart pictured here was created for new and existing employees to see how we are currently structured.
The eight Divisions that compose our agency are listed on the top with their units listed below.
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HCJPD Organizational Chart
Current - August 1, 2022
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Columbia Justice Lab Report |
A new report from Columbia Justice Lab’s Youth Justice Initiatives, Process Matters: Reflections from the Development of Harris County’s Youth Justice Community Reinvestment Fund and Recommendations to Guide Future Efforts, describes how Harris County created a first-of its-kind Youth Justice Reinvestment Fund in Texas earlier this year. |
"Various efforts to downsize its youth justice system have shown success already - between 2017 and 2021, the number of youth cases referred to HCJPD and the total number of youth detained decreased by 50% and 31%, respectively," according to Process Matters, the report released by Columbia Justice Lab.
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Practitioner and Parent/Caregiver Guides |
Office for Victims of Crime's new Tribal resources offer age-appropriate resources to support children and youth during their involvement with the justice system as a victim or a witness to a crime.
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The January 9 - 31, 2023 benefits open enrollment period for active Harris County employees is for the upcoming short plan year starting March 1 through December 31, 2023.
Use the employee open enrollment period to make sure you’re taking advantage of the many benefits available to you. This is the time you can make the following updates:
- Change your medical plan option
- Add or drop covered dependents*
- Purchase or discontinue optional life insurance or optional long-term disability
- Enroll or disenroll in dependent care and/or health FSAs to make your 2023 contributions
If adding dependents to your health insurance, please upload documentation no later than January 27th.
*Court ordered dependents require a termination of medical support notice to be dropped.
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Join us congratulating Latricia St.Jules, who on December 18, 2022, was honored for her superior contributions to the community, with an Appreciation Certificate from the City of Houston!
Her dedication to serving people is proven to be the best! The City of Houston is proud of her and salutes her.
Within our department, Latricia advocates in her role of Family Engagement Specialist and outside our department in her community.
Thank you Latricia, for being a champion in the community!
"We make a living by what we get, but we
make a life by what we give." – Winston Churchill
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Latricia St.Jules
Family Engagement Specialist
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Deputy Holiday Pancake Breakfast |
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We were happy to see so many faces during last month's pancake breakfast. COVID-19 placed many things on hold and we are excited for more in-person gatherings this year.
A special thanks to everyone who contributed to make this event successful!
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Dr. Diana Quintana · Jo Ann Hernandez |
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We wish you all the best! |
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