Published: June 16, 2009 08:12 pm      

TYC to keep Corsicana center open

The state will keep the Corsicana facility open as a residential treatment facility, and intends to invest more and strengthen the program, Townsend said Saturday while at the annual reunion of Corsicana State Home alumni.

Earlier in the spring the legislature debated closing the Corsicana facility, and part of the facility in Brownwood. The legislature did cut the budget of the Texas Youth Commission, but the agency won’t be closing the Corsicana home, which she said was a vital part of the mission.

“These are young people with serious problems and we need to be able to treat those needs,” she said.

The community relationships are important to the facility and the agency, she said, pointing to the training programs at Navarro College, where TYC employees from around the state receive education credits, and an active and supportive volunteer program.

“We have good partnerships here, and good relationships,” Townsend said. “We want to continue to have good relationships with the community.”

The Corsicana Residential Treatment Facility has about 150 residents now, and expects to maintain that population at least for the next two years, Townsend said.

The agency budget was cut to reflect a smaller number of children in the care of the Texas Youth Commission, but the intention is to continue to invest in treatment and education, Townsend explained.

“The cuts reflect less population, not less commitment,” she said.

— Janet Jacobs