In Texas, there has been a focus on finding alternatives to juvenile detention programs. Some of the alternatives currently include supervised release programs, local treatment programs and home detention with electronic monitoring.
Texas specifically has the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program, or JJAEP, which may be helpful for some children entering the system. The goal of the JJAEP is to reduce delinquency, rehabilitate those who have offended and to increase offender accountability.
What happens in the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program?
The JJAEP is a disciplinary alternative education program that makes sure that students in the system are able to perform at grade level. This is an academic intervention that provides classes in social studies, science, self-discipline, language arts and mathematics.
Students are normally assigned to this program only when they violated the Texas Education Code Chapter 37. The offenses that could result in needing to use the JJAEP include:
- Being expelled from the home school campus for infractions of the Student Code of Conduct
- Being court ordered to take JJAEP courses due to probation or Title V offenses
- Discretionary expulsions for serious infractions on or off campus that violate the Student Code of Conduct
There are currently 30 programs available, and they are mandatory in 25 counties in the state. Only five counties are discretionary mandatory countries.
What is the point of the JJAEP?
The JJAEP is there to help make sure that students continue their studies even if they have been removed from their school campuses or have offended and have a court order for the program. The goal of the program is to help them maintain their studies at the correct grade level. The program also works with juveniles to reduce the likelihood of reoffending, so that they can reintegrate back into society normally once the program ends or they age out of the educational program.
This is an alternative way for a child to get an education if they have committed an offense, and it’s something to consider if they are heading to court. The JJAEP is not always mandatory, so it’s a good idea to talk to someone about this as a potential legal option.