Message from TYC Executive Commissioner Cherie Townsend
Dear TYC Staff:
This has been a very busy week at the Capitol for the Texas Youth Commission. Let me give you a synopsis of what is being discussed by our elected officials.
An ongoing concern by lawmakers about our agency is the size of our staff in relation to the number of youth we serve. It just doesn't make sense that our youth population is half what it was two years ago, but the number of staff has not decreased at the same rate. I have explained that I had the same concern when I became executive commissioner, and that is why I began our “right sizing” efforts in December 2008. Everyone understands that the 80th Legislature actually reduced our staff by 1,240 in anticipation of a reduced population. But they also added 600 staff to implement the reforms of S.B. 103 as well as to improve our education and workforce development programs and oversight of medical services. We will continue working with legislative leaders and their staff to determine the appropriate number of staff needed to implement the reforms of S.B. 103, and to deliver solid education and treatment programs in the most cost effective way possible. There are many ways to do this, and I believe that further thoughtful right-sizing is necessary.
Another concern lawmakers have is the number of large facilities the agency continues to operate. We have proposed a way to reduce some of our institutional capacity and to increase the number of programs in urban areas. Our focus is on developing more regional programs that can best help us provide services to our TYC youth. Another option is to close some facilities. And, of course, there continues to be discussion about the pros and cons of consolidating the functions of TYC and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission into one new agency.
During the next several months, these issues and others will be looked at by our state leaders. I urge all of you to remember as this process continues, many different options will be discussed and reported in the media. We are still months away from resolution of these issues, and to the extent possible, we will keep you updated on decisions that will impact TYC.
The one thing each of us can do to help our agency right now is to continue doing our jobs with pride, professionalism and excellence. Our mission has not and will not change – we are making a difference in the lives of the youth in our care. Let that continue to be your focus. I promise to continue working hard to represent you and TYC at the Capitol. I ask each of you to continue working hard to carry out our mission, and I thank all of you for your continued commitment to the youth at TYC.
Sincerely,
Cherie Townsend