The Honorable Denise Hernández, County Court at Law #6
Transformative Youth Justice (TYJ) is a court-led diversion program that advances public safety and community well-being through a public health, workforce development, and cross-system collaborative approach.
Serving young people ages 17–20 at a critical developmental stage, TYJ brings together the courts, community organizations, workforce systems, housing providers, and behavioral health partners to address the root causes of justice involvement. Through community-centered programming, TYJ expands access to mental health care, stable housing, education, mentorship, and career pathways, ensuring young people have the support needed to stabilize, grow, and thrive.
Grounded in the understanding that emerging adulthood is a distinct period of growth, opportunity, and vulnerability, TYJ recognizes young people not as system actors, but as developing community members with the capacity for transformation.
VISION
TYJ envisions a fully integrated, cross-system continuum of care where:
- Youth and emerging adults are supported across systems, not siloed within them
- Housing stability is a foundation, not a barrier
- Workforce pathways create real economic mobility
- Justice systems are designed to promote healthy development for opportunity youth, reduce recidivism, and strengthen public safety
GOAL
The goal of TYJ is to improve public safety by improving outcomes for system-impacted youth and emerging adults.
We achieve this by building a coordinated, cross-sector ecosystem that:
- Reduces recidivism by addressing the root causes of system involvement
- Advances public health through access to mental health care, mentorship, and community connection
- Increases housing stability, particularly for system-impacted youth and emerging adults
- Expands workforce participation through education, skill-building, and access to meaningful career pathways
- Eliminates systemic barriers that prevent young people from achieving long-term success
Through this model, TYJ interrupts cycles of justice involvement and creates pathways toward long-term stability, economic mobility, and safer, more resilient communities.
TYJ is a collaborative effort in partnership with Judge Hernández, Travis County Attorney Delia Garza, and other community partners.
Program
PROGRAM PLANS:
Individualized program plans are developed for each participant based on the alleged offense and the specific needs of the participant. All participants are required to attend monthly programming sessions in the community, follow bond conditions as recommended by State, and follow other plan requirements which may include:
- Restorative Healing Circles
- Financial Literacy Classes
- Peer Support Training
- Educational Advancement Programming
- Workforce Development Events
- Mental Health Support
- Social and Emotional Wellness Programming
- Community Building Events
PROGRAM TERMS:
Program length ranges from 1-12 months and is determined by offense and the specific facts of each case
PROGRAM INCENTIVES:
Upon successful completion of the program, participants are provided a dismissal and offered an expedited expunction in partnership with the Travis County Attorney’s Office.
NON-COMPLIANCE:
If a participant is non-compliant with their program plan, a response plan is developed based on the needs of the participant and may include the following:
- Additional CSR Hours
- Extended Program Plan Term
- Mental Health Support
- Social and Emotional Wellness Programming
- Modified Bond Conditions as Requested by State