C.O.R.E.
In 2017, Williamson County Juvenile Services refined its residential program and created a new trauma-in-formed treatment program called C.O.R.E., replacing Academy, Triad, and Trinity.
C.O.R.E. is a secure post-adjudication residential treatment center housed within the Williamson County Juvenile Justice Center located in Georgetown, Texas. C.O.R.E. utilizes a multi-disciplinary team and therapeutic model approach to understand and address resident needs. The team includes a consulting psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, consulting psychologist, license nurses, license counselors, license clinical social workers, case managers, GISD educational staff, and a team of Youth Engagement Specialists. The C.O.R.E. team welcomes constructive participation from the resident's immediate and extended family members in the treatment process. This residential treatment program offers youth the opportunity to explore new ways of thinking, feeling, and responding to stressors such as neglect, trauma, adversity, with hopes of redirecting them on a path of success and providing a brighter outlook on life.
Education
Georgetown ISD is the administrative agent that provides educational services for all students place in programs within WCJJC, both secure and non-secure programs. The education department provides all courses required for graduation and a number of elective courses for students in Detention, CORE (residential treatment), and JJAEP. All education staff are highly qualified under No Child Left Behind and most of the teachers are certified to teach in at least 2 content areas. WCJS Education has an excellent, veteran group of educators on the team who exhibit a passion for student population and the challenges they preset.
S.T.E.P. continues to strive to engage students in growing, learning, and serving through various methodologies including, direct-teach instruction, project-based instruction, service projects, discipline instruction, and on-line computer instruction for credit recovery and acceleration. The goal is to re-connect students to the learning process and expand upon their positive relationships with others and the community in general. Education creates and maintains opportunities for students to stay on track for graduation with their peers via education programming and in collaboration with the students' home campuses. All students receive educational support specific to their needs:
Special Education - resource classes, inclusion support, behavioral support, counseling and other therapies, classroom accommodations, behavioral goals, and individual education plan implementation and support.
Section 504 - all accommodations as outlined in 504 plans.
State Testing - provisions of STAAR testing, remediation assistance, EOC testingand re-testing.
English Language Learners - linguistic accommodations and support.
The education team complete professional learning at the beginning of each year specific to the needs of the student population served:
| Crisis Prevent Intervention |
Suicide Awareness |
| Mental Health First Aid |
Sexual Harassment |
| Trauma Informed Care |
Emergency Operations |
| TBRI |
JJD Standards |
| First Aide/CPR/AED (biannually) |
Prison Rape Education Act (PREA) |
In addition, teachers participate in various content area and instructional methodology training relative to their individual areas of certification. The Education Team is extensively trained to work with the high-risk youth that are served.
TBRI Ambassador Organization
Williamson County Juvenile Services is proud to be a TBRI® Ambassador Organization. TBRI®, or Trust-based Relational Intervention, is an attachment based, trauma-informed intervention designed to meet the complex needs of children and families who have experienced adversity, early harm, toxic stress, or trauma. TBRI® Ambassador Organizations partner with TCU’s Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KPICD) in our mission of bringing hope and healing to vulnerable children worldwide. These organizations have a relationship rooted in mutual trust and connection with the KPICD, and actively cultivate a TBRI® culture within their organization, from top leadership to the clients they serve. TBRI® Ambassador organizations have been thoroughly vetted throughout their TBRI® implementation process and are committed to partnering with KPICD through influencing systems of care and practice.