Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Professional Referrences
Timeline
Generic

Laura Peace

Kemp,TX

Summary

Retired Juvenile Justice Administrator with extensive experience in all aspects of child assessment, treatment and placement. As a Licensed Professional Counselor performed hundreds of custody evaluations and pre-sentence reports for the court as well as developed therapeutic programming for juveniles and children in the foster care system. Experienced advocate for children and adolescents, seeking best interest of the child in all outcomes. Seeking opportunity to bring experience and skills in child related systems development to help the individual child reach the most positive outcome possible. Team builder and passionate about helping others; those we serve and those with whom we serve.

Overview

29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Retired Chief Juvenile Probation Officer

Kaufman County Juvenile Probation
01.2005 - 07.2022

Supervisor: District Attorney Erleigh Norville Wiley

Ewiley@Kaufmancounty.net

C (469) 595-1154 or W (469) 376-4760

  • Improved juvenile probation outcomes by implementing evidence-based practices and individualized case management plans.
  • Enhanced community safety by closely monitoring and supervising juveniles on probation, ensuring compliance with court-ordered conditions.
  • Strengthened family dynamics for successful rehabilitation by providing resources and support to both juveniles and their families.
  • Reduced recidivism rates through targeted interventions and appropriate referrals to community-based programs.
  • Conducted thorough assessments of juvenile offenders to determine risk levels, needs, and appropriate supervision strategies.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure a comprehensive approach in addressing the needs of youth under supervision.
  • Facilitated skill-building workshops for youth under supervision, promoting personal growth and improved decision-making abilities.
  • Assisted young people in developing realistic goals for their future while supporting them throughout the process of achieving those objectives.
  • Testified in court proceedings as needed, providing clear recommendations based on thorough evaluations and knowledge of best practices in juvenile justice.
  • Established positive rapport with juveniles under supervision, fostering trust and open communication while maintaining professional boundaries.

Child Custody Evaluator

Kaufman County District Courts
01.2000 - 12.2016

Supervisor: Honorable Mike Chitty, Retired District Court Judge, 422 District Court of Kaufman County

BMChitty@aol.com; C (214) 537-7656

Adjunct Psychology and Criminal Justice Instructor

Trinity Valley Community College
01.1994 - 12.2010
  • Taught Developmental and General Psychology and during various semesters from 1994 to 2010.
  • Fostered positive classroom environment by promoting open communication, teamwork, and respect among students from diverse backgrounds.
  • Evaluated student progress through regular assessments, adjusting teaching strategies to address individual needs and improve overall performance.
  • Provided mentorship and career guidance for students pursuing internships or employment in criminal justice field after graduation.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Private Practice
01.2000 - 01.2005
  • Dallas Child Guidance contract Convener for CPS Permanency Placement Team meetings
  • Family and Individual Counseling (accepted CPS referrals as well as truancy and misdemeanor assault referrals from local courts)
  • Mobil Crisis Team contract provider (NTBHA)
  • Foster Care case management, training and placement specialist
  • Intake assessments for MHMR Navarro and Ellis Counties
  • Managed caseload of diverse clients, tailoring interventions to meet their unique needs and goals.
  • Improved client outcomes through implementation of effective crisis intervention strategies during high-risk situations.

Executive Director / Licensed Child Care Admin

A. Fern Norville Children’s Emergency Shelter
01.1994 - 01.2000

Supervisor: Kaufman County Child Welfare Board, Erleigh Norville Wiley

  • Built relationships with donors, government officials and other organizations to secure funding and support for organization.
  • Created succession plans to provide continuity of operations during leadership transitions.
  • Re-established and maintained state license and contract compliance
  • Oversaw building safe playground space
  • Created advocacy program for all residents to ensure their educational, emotional, psychological, physical and medical needs were addressed.

Education

M.A - Psychology

Texas Woman’s University
1992

B.S - Psychology / Government

Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX
1981

Skills

  • Recognized Expert in Child Custody by local District Courts
  • Preparation of Court Reports and Related Testimony
  • Experienced Motivational Interviewer
  • Trainer in all aspects of case management, advocacy, and treatment for adolescences
  • Consensus Builder
  • Excellent Communication Skills, both verbal and written
  • Strong Advocate for best interest of the child
  • Empower children through focus on strength based activities

Accomplishments

  • Implemented intake system to identify immediate and long term needs of referred children.
  • Created and implemented experiential programming for youths on court ordered probation
  • Initiated creation of CRCG in Kaufman County, served as Chair for one term
  • Created and implemented the Children's Mental Health Plan for Texas in ten county Terrell State Hospital / MHMR catchment area
  • Implemented Motivational Interviewing through all phases of case management from intake to completion of supervision
  • Created quality control measures for all juvenile probation placements outside of the home as well as for treatment planning for all children in care
  • Brought Psychologist and Psychiatrist in house to provide services directly to youths referred to our department
  • Hired first bi-lingual therapists and officers in Kaufman County Juvenile Probation Department
  • Implemented numerous therapeutic programs including equine therapy, family therapy, anger management, first offender, sex offender and reading improvement classes.
  • Implemented therapeutic resources for staff in dealing with grief responses to loss of life
  • Implemented suicide intervention action program with all staff
  • Created protocol encouraging input from all staff regarding treatment and recommendations for clients
  • Worked closely with Tx Department of Family Protective Services to reopen children's emergency shelter after license and contract revoked during prior administrator's term
  • Received %100 compliance rating from state probation agency in audits over the past 15 years.

Certification

  • Texas Certified Juvenile Probation Officer Texas
  • Certified Secondary Teacher, Lifetime Certification
  • Licensed Child Care Administrator, Texas, 1995-2000
  • Licensed Professional Counselor, Texas 2001-2016

Professional Referrences

Honorable Erleigh N. Wiley, Kaufman County District Attorney and previous Juvenile Judge  ewiley@kaufmancounty.net (469)595-1154


Honorable Mike Chitty, Retired District Judge  bmchitty@aol.com  (214)537-7656


Trenis Ramsey, Kaufman County Chief Juvenile Probation Officer  trenisramsey@kaufmancounty.net  (469)376-4650


Paul Sobin, M.D., Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Terrell State Hospital  (903)288-5701


David Bell, Ph.D.  Licensed Psychologist  Davebbell1@gmail.com  (903)450-5679


Gil Altom, Attorney At Law;  Guardian Ad Litem   gilaltom@gmail.com  (214) 686-8496 


Honorable Shelton Gibbs, District Judge, Alternate Juvenile Judge (469)376-4668




Timeline

Retired Chief Juvenile Probation Officer

Kaufman County Juvenile Probation
01.2005 - 07.2022

Child Custody Evaluator

Kaufman County District Courts
01.2000 - 12.2016

Licensed Professional Counselor

Private Practice
01.2000 - 01.2005

Adjunct Psychology and Criminal Justice Instructor

Trinity Valley Community College
01.1994 - 12.2010

Executive Director / Licensed Child Care Admin

A. Fern Norville Children’s Emergency Shelter
01.1994 - 01.2000

M.A - Psychology

Texas Woman’s University

B.S - Psychology / Government

Texas Woman's University
Laura Peace