Harris County Juvenile Probation Department

Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD)

COVID-19 UPDATES

Due to the need for social distancing, the shuttles provided to/from our free parking lot in Downtown may not be the best option for our staff. To assist with this, while the work from home order is in effect, the 1401 Congress garage will be open 24/7 and free to county employees. Employees should enter from the Austin St. entrance and show their County issued ID.

***Employees should park in any non-reserved space, which start around the 4th floor.

As a precautionary measure, the administration side of the Juvenile Justice Center will be closed Fridays through Sundays effective immediately. During these days the building will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized by FPM. If your office is on the administrative side of JJC, please get with your deputy regarding flex scheduling/work from home options/using paid-time off on the days the building is closed.

Detention staff will still be able access the building via the Caroline St. doorway.      

The Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) is closely monitoring all new developments associated with Coronavirus (COVID-19). We are in frequent contact with county and state leadership, public health departments, and monitoring updates from the Center for Disease and Control (CDC) to be up to date and act promptly to suggested changes. The health and safety of the youth that we serve and our employees is the highest priority. The department has already begun engaging in preventative measures and necessary steps to decrease the risk of spreading infection.

The CDC predicts more individuals will acquire COVID-19 infection; however, most people will only experience mild to moderate respiratory illness. Those at greatest risk are the elderly and those with serious chronic medical conditions. At this time, it does not appear that children are at an increased risk of serious infection, unless there is an underlying medical condition.

Despite the lowered risk for youth until 18, HCJPD is taking the Coronavirus very seriously and working diligently to reduce the spread of the virus to youth, staff, and the general public.

We have instituted the following changes to combat the spread of the virus.

• Our medical staff is sufficiently trained and equipped with medical supplies to address any medical concerns of youth in our facilities.
• Staff working in the Juvenile Justice Center, Harris County Youth Village, and Harris County Leadership Academy will be screened daily. Employees that report or show symptoms will not be allowed to enter the facilities.
• We are increasing our cleaning of offices, facilities, and places of high touch points.
• HCJPD has suspended all in-person visitation with our youth in facilities. We will be supplementing this disruption by increasing phone calls.
• Aside for essential services and religious activities, we have canceled all vendor/volunteer programming in our facilities. Please see contact information below. We will create alternate activities to keep youth engaged.
• Scheduled volunteer/vendor orientation training is cancelled until further notice.
  
• Detention hearings will be held in ways to reduce a large gathering of persons in one court room.

We ask for your cooperation during this public health emergency. Please visit this website for up to date changes in procedures.

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Volunteers contact their facility Resource Liaison.

• Juvenile Detention Center - LaKesha Brown 713-222-4108

• Leadership Academy -  Antoine Green 713-222-4645
• Youth Village - Mohamed Sallam 713-222-4721