Administrative and Executive Services

The Research and Statistics Unit gathers and implements the juvenile justice research and policy agenda in the Juvenile Department. This includes research and evaluation of residential placements, non-residential programs, reform initiatives, and juvenile justice processes. We represent and communicate research and evaluation findings to the juvenile court, research communities, and numerous stakeholders.

In addition, we develop, implement, and maintain essential data collection, and reporting systems to support the research and evaluation agenda.

The Department coordinates with state agencies, County departments, contractors, and other entities to ensure the continued operations of all databases. We work in collaboration with the Juvenile Department staff to ensure the accuracy of data used for research projects and reporting, we provide technical assistance to other departmental staff engaged in outcome evaluations, and quality assurance activities.

The research unit also develops and implements performance measures used in the evaluation of programs as required by federal and state grants and other funding sources.

The Department coordinates external requests for data and ensures that such requests are consistent with the department’s research agenda and overall goals.

The Training and Certification Unit is responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing training opportunities for all staff working for the Dallas County Juvenile Department.

Juvenile Probation Officers and Juvenile Supervision Officers are required to maintain a high level of training and professionalism per Departmental mandates. The Training and Certification Unit provides the opportunities for Officers to enhance their professional skills and broaden their base of knowledge concerning the needs of youth.

The Dallas County Juvenile Department Office Services Unit is responsible for processing, archiving, transferring, and overall maintenance of all records related to juveniles who are referred to and/or supervised by the Department. The staff of the Office Services Unit is often the first face that youth, parents, staff, visitors, and stakeholders meet when they visit our Department. The Office Services staff takes pride in being helpful, professional, media services, and friendly to all that pass through our Department’s doors.

The Dallas County Juvenile Department’s Quality Assurance Unit acts as a liaison between the Department and the applicable oversight agencies that monitor the policies, practices, and procedures of the various divisions within the Department. Quality Assurance is the designated coordinator for preparations of the Department’s secure pre and post adjudication facilities annual monitoring visits by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. Quality Assurance provides assistance to the Department by conducting and providing internal training, and updating policies, procedures or revisions in accordance with local, state, and federal legislative changes by our oversight agencies standards. Quality Assurance also monitors juvenile justice trends on the state and federal levels to ensure that the Department is proactive in its compliance with all applicable laws and professional standards.

The Quality Assurance Unit is responsible for the constant and continuous efforts of ensuring Departmental compliance with TEA too and TDFPS rules and regulations, while working hard to keep our youth safe.

TechShare.Juvenile is a comprehensive, state, web-based juvenile justice information and case management system which provides common data collection, reporting, and management needs for the Dallas County Juvenile Department. The system consists of a core component including intake, referral, and case management. Additional enhancement features such as law enforcement filing, detention, psychological, and substance abuse services and institution management are also available. The goal of TechShare.Juvenile is to provide statewide data sharing between the 166 local juvenile probation departments and law enforcement agencies across the state. Law enforcement agencies both across and within multiple jurisdictions benefit from shared information providing better services to juvenile offenders.

The Grant Services Unit ensures the needs of our youth are met by securing external funds to help support existing or new juvenile justice programs. The Department currently receives grants from the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), along with the Criminal Justice Division (CJD), the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), and other outside foundations.

Programs receiving grant funds are closely monitored and supported by the Grant Services Unit to ensure established goals are achieved. This also includes innovative internal programs and outside community organizations, who receive support from the Juror Fund. The Youth Services Advisory Board oversees the use of the Dallas County Juror Fund for inventive projects that address specific concerns related to juvenile crime prevention and directly support Dallas County Youth. The Grant Services Unit assists in this effort by managing the allocated funds.