Introduction

Our Mission & Work

Our mission is to create an effective juvenile justice system that practices prevention and rehabilitation and offers opportunities for youth to succeed, thereby supporting strong and safe communities.

Our activities include:

• Preparation for the upcoming Sunset Commission review of the TYC on and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission (TJPC);
• Advocacy during the 81^st Legislature for continued systemic reforms;
• Monthly meetings to share information;
• Public education events, such as legislative briefings, forums, and panels;
• Recommendations for inclusion in agencies' legislative appropriations requests; and
• Coordination of legislative campaigns.

Guiding Principles

The Roundtable's specific policy and legislative recommendations reflect the following consensus principles:

· Involving parents and guardians in processes affecting youth;

· Diverting youth who are non-violent, diagnosed with mental health challenges, and/or cognitive/ developmental disabilities from the juvenile justice system;

· Ensuring justice for victims of juvenile crime;

· Controlling costs to taxpayers;

· Protecting the rights of youth in juvenile justice proceedings and in facilities and;

· Decreasing public school practices that funnel students into the juvenile justice system.