In attendance at the statewide leadership meeting this past Fall were: Faith Kah and Jason Delaney (Gainesville); Mary Henry (Giddings); and Cora Bennett (Mart). The caucus members discussed the need to grow the union if we are going to have the power to turn TJJD around. Attendees were given membership lists for their facilities. We then discussed the best ways to ask new members to join and how to work around some of the challenges involved. Next, we discussed the key issues facing TJJD and how we as a union can win on the issues that will improve working conditions, safety, and outcomes for both youth and staff. First, we talked about the recent moves among advocacy organizations and legislators to shut down TJJD facilities and dismantle the agency. This plan was shortsighted and would only shift problems found in TJJD onto county governments, TDCJ, and/or privatized facilities. There is a vital need for a well-funded and maintained, state-run system of juvenile rehabilitation facilities for the state’s most serious youth felons. It is our responsibility to bring this agenda to the attention of the legislature.
Overall, we concluded that the most pressing issue to address in fixing TJJD is staff turnover and high workloads. We discussed the need for the agency to attract and retain more staff through increased pay, inclusion in the 20-year LECOS retirement fund, and the creation of a case manager career ladder. We wrapped up the meeting by making plans to try to meet with legislators who represent TJJD facilities.