JLA-JJAEP

Mission Statement

The Fort Bend County Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) & Juvenile Leadership Academy (JLA) were designed to provide a positive, supportive, and structured learning environment with high expectations for all students.  Students are provided a quality education in the areas of affective and cognitive development, while stressing personal development and growth coupled with responsible behavior.  This is accomplished in a positive, supportive, safe and orderly environment.  It is the final goal of the programs to provide each student with the skills necessary for personal success resulting in the student becoming an integral person in society.

Juvenile Leadership Academy (JLA)

The Leadership Academy was designed to reduce the number of juveniles entering into long term residential placements. The desired outcome of the program is for the students to receive the disciplinary and emotional tools necessary to become law abiding citizens and for them to have a successful educational experience. The program addresses the needs of school age juveniles who are under the court’s jurisdiction. Students are taught the importance of self-discipline, responsibility and respect toward themselves, others and the community. The success of the JLA program has been identified as the primary reason that the placement unit’s caseload has decreased.

Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP)

The Fort Bend County Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program was created pursuant to Senate Bill 1, passed by the Texas Legislature in 1995. The Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) provides educational programs for every expelled student. The student may have been expelled for a criminal activity or for serious misbehavior. Students may also be court ordered into this program as a condition of their release or probation. The JJAEP program operates simultaneously with the Juvenile Leadership Academy at both the Arcola/Jake Dove Center and the Rosenberg locations.

JJAEP will provide educational services for the following expelled students:

• Mandatory Expulsions - Texas Education Code, Section 37.007(a), (d), & (e)
• Permissive Expulsions - Texas Education Code, Section 37.007(b), (c) & (f)

JJAEP provides the following services for students placed in the program:

Daily Operation
Students placed in the Fort Bend County JJAEP attend school daily, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
Youth placed in the Fort Bend County JLA attend the program daily Monday thru Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Teacher / Teacher’s Aides
The Fort Bend County JJAEP has contracted with the Fort Bend Independent School District and the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District for educational personnel. Teachers hired for this program will be certified teachers and may be Special Education and ESL endorsed. When needed, aides may also be used to assist the teacher in the instruction of students.

Academics
The Fort Bend County JJAEP will provide course instruction in the following subjects. Instruction of these courses may be done through both direct instruction and computer based instruction:

• Mathematics
• English 
• Science
• Social Studies
• GED - available for students not likely to graduate.

Entrance Testing
Each student will be tested upon admission into the Fort Bend County JJAEP to measure the student’s current tested grade level specifically in the areas of reading and mathematics.

Exit Testing
Each student served in the Fort Bend County JJAEP for a minimum of 90 days will be tested upon exit from the Fort Bend County JJAEP to measure the student’s current tested grade level specifically in the areas of reading and mathematics.

Psychological Services
Students attending the Fort Bend County JJAEP may be required to submit to psychological testing. Testing will be conducted by a licensed psychologist to assist the department in proper services given to the student.

Counseling/Substance Abuse Services
Students attending the Fort Bend County JJAEP may be required to participate in individual, group and or family counseling. The need for counseling services will be determined by the program staff or by the students individual education plan, or as ordered by a Juvenile Judge.

Dress Code
Students placed in the Fort Bend County JJAEP are required to conform to the program’s dress code. Students are required to wear khaki slacks, a grey t-shirt or county issued Phase shirt, and black or white solid colored sneakers.

Student Lunches
Students attending the Fort Bend County JJAEP will be required to provide their own lunch, or be approved for school lunches through the appropriate school district registrar.

Transition Services
Personnel of the Fort Bend County JJAEP will assist the student in preparing for their return back to the expelling school. Personnel of the program will provide a transition plan, for the student, to the receiving Independent School District.

Probation Services
Students continuing under probation supervision upon completion of the Fort Bend County JJAEP will receive probation services according to the terms and conditions of the student’s probation.