In 1996, the Texas Legislature mandated that juvenile boards in counties with populations greater than 125,000 operate Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs (JJAEPs), to provide services to youth who were expelled from public school for serious school-related law violations for which the youth was subsequently placed on probation. Formal authority to operate the Tarrant County JJAEP rests with the Tarrant County Juvenile Board.
The JJAEP also contracts with Tarrant County independent school districts to provide services to students who are expelled for serious and persistent misbehavior by the district. These students comprised 57% of the student population at JJAEP during the 2002-2003 school year.
The JJAEP provides a year-round program of academic, behavioral, therapeutic and support services to assist youth who are expelled from public school. These services are provided, where possible, in an individualized format, aiding students to proceed at their own pace. The program also offers training and support to families in the areas of communication skills, problem solving, conflict resolution, daily living skills, and other issues in aid of helping a youth to be more successful in educational activities. The department further supports the program by providing probation officers at the JJAEP site, assigned solely to work with client/families at the JJAEP.
Collective program statistics indicate that, in calendar year 2002, 399 students participated in the JJAEP. Of the 295 students completing the program, 88% (195 students) successfully transitioned back to their referring school district. In addition, 27% of the students were classified as needing special education services.
