Nominees

COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION

SEAT 1

SHANDRA CARTER (TX) CANDIDATE PROFILE

COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION

JUVENILE JUSTICE

PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY

Shandra Carter is the Executive Director of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, where she leads statewide efforts to strengthen public safety, improve outcomes for justice-involved youth, and modernize Texasjuvenile justice system. With more than 25 years of experience in social services, behavioral health, and juvenile corrections, she is recognized for leading complex organizational transformation in high-risk correctional environments. Since assuming leadership of TJJD, Carter has focused on stabilizing operations, improving accountability, strengthening workforce culture, and advancing trauma-responsive rehabilitation practices across the state. Under her leadership, the agency has implemented significant strategic initiatives, including the continued development of the Texas Model, expansion of regionalization efforts to keep youth closer to home, enhanced cross-agency collaboration, and long-term strategic planning designed to improve both youth outcomes and community safety. Carter is widely respected for her emphasis on leadership development, organizational culture, and team centered accountability. She has championed initiatives focused on staff wellness, professional development, psychological safety, and evidence-based treatment approaches, while reinforcing the importance of operational excellence and secure facility safety. Her work has helped restore stakeholder confidence and position Texas as a national voice in juvenile justice innovation and reform. Carter is a frequent speaker on trauma-responsive care, leadership in correctional settings, organizational culture transformation, and sustainable rehabilitation models. She remains committed to building systems that balance accountability, safety, and meaningful opportunities for youth rehabilitation and long-term success.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

LEADERSHIP & EXPERTISE

Executive Director, Texas Juvenile Justice Department Organizational Transformation & Strategic Planning Workforce Development & Staff Wellness Initiatives Trauma-Responsive Care & Rehabilitation Models Operational Excellence & Secure Facility Management Juvenile Justice Innovation & Regionalization Efforts

Texas Juvenile Justice Department Advocate for Trauma-Responsive Rehabilitation National Speaker on Juvenile Justice Reform & Leadership Leader in Evidence-Based Juvenile Justice Practices

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