It would be very easy to just sit back and wait for these kids who are in the juvenile probation system to finish their probation and then wait until the same kids come back through again after going back to their old ways.

It was evident last week that if Mike Meade, Director of Juvenile Probation, and his qualified staff members, such as Mary Gready, have anything to do with it, that just isn’t going to happen.

Mary, who worked in the same system for 20 years in Harris County, says her boss is innovative and “thinks out of the box” when it comes to trying to develop or utilize programs that will turn the kids around and make them contributing members of society before they become hardened and receive on the job training in the Texas prison system.

Last wee, Meade sought and received approval to apply for several grants that, if received, will enhance his efforts to work with these kids and perhaps give them a new lease on life and a second chance.

Meade is applying for a grant of $125,000 to fund a Truancy Abatement Pilot Program; a grant for $27,305 to fund the Family Focus Bi-lingual In-home Parenting Program; a grant of $25,596 to fund the third year of the Juvenile After-Care Program; and a new grant for $25,000 to fund the new Texas Gulf Coast Tattoo Obliteration program. No funds will be required by the county.

It is very rewarding to see this type of enthusiasm and concern coming from a government employee. Sadly that isn’t always the case. But when it is, I feel those going through hoops to do a great job should be recognized for doing so.

So, hats off to Juvenile Probation. Job well done—keep up the good work. Fort Bend County will be much better off if some of these young people end up as constructive members of society rather than a life-long drain on the system.

Welcome home Dianne

Welcome home to County Clerk Dianne Wilson, who took a vacation of two weeks to beautiful Australia where she and her husband enjoyed visiting with their son and his wife. Dianne says it is the first time since 1992 that she has taken a full two-week vacation. So, you might say she took a “well-deserved” vacation.