July 2023 Newsletter_Published

Council of Accountability Court Judges of Georgia NEWSLETTER July | 2023 From the CACJ Staff Contents As in years past, we want to recognize team members across the Gwinnett County Mental Health state for their hard work and dedication to accountability courts. Court – pg.2 Start thinking about the people who you work closely with on your Towaliga Accountability Courts – court team and consider nominating them for an award. We will pg. 4 continue to recognize one person from each team role: Judge, Paulding County Mental Health Court Coordinator, Case Manager, Defense Attorney, Prosecutor, – pg. 4 Probation Officer, Law Enforcement Officer, Treatment Provider, Cordele Judicial Circuit Drug Court – CASA Advocate, DFCS Case Manager, FTC Attorney, Peer Support pg. 5 Specialist, and Veterans Mentor Coordinator for the Star award. A Model Court: Atlantic Judicial Circuit Star award nominee can be characterized as someone on your Drug Court – pg. 6 accountability court team who is a team player, implemented CACJ News – pg. 8 something unique, maintains a positive attitude, understands their Communication Tips for Coordinators role on the team, adapts well to change, and is a critical part to the – pg. 8 team’s success. Career Opportunities – pg. 10 Also, in memory of the late Judge Stephen S. Goss, the Council of 1 | Page Accountability Court Judges has created an award to honor his life and legacy as a nationally recognized expert on mental health. In 2002, Judge Goss founded the Dougherty Superior Court Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment Program. It served as one of four learning sites for mental health courts as designated by the United States Bureau of Justice Assistance and was the first mental health court created in the state of Georgia. One mental health court team member will receive this award and be recognized across the state for outstanding contributions in the field. Criteria for nominees include: 1) must have worked with the mental health court for at least three years, 2) their efforts have had a far-reaching impact and demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of the participants, and 3) they’ve assisted with raising awareness about mental health and the mental health court in the community. Nominations opened on June 12, 2023 and close July 21, 2023. Submitted by Sacha Greene, CACJ Certification Officer II CACJ Newsletter | July 2023

Gwinnett County Mental Health Court Featured in Investigative Report Series The Gwinnett County Mental Health Court was featured on Fox 5 News on May 30 as part of Investigative Reporter Randy Travis’ series on mental health. View the news story and article here: https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/mental-health- courts-how-much-can-they-help-jail-crisis. Submitted by Chris Sconiers, Sr., Gwinnett County Accountability Courts Assistant Director Following the Fox 5 News coverage of the Gwinnett County Mental Health Court, CACJ asked Judge Karen Beyers what it was like to work with the press in this case and how she navigated court proceedings with news cameras in her courtroom. When asked who initiated contact between Fox 5 News and the mental health court, Judge Beyers said Investigative Reporter Randy Travis has been focusing on delays in competencies and was looking at alternative solutions to the mental health crisis in Georgia’s jails. He contacted her office and wanted to feature mental health court as part of his series. She said as those with mental health issues and criminal charges oftentimes make the news, this was the right thing to do to educate the public. Judge Beyers said it was important to put faces with the stories and not just use names so the community understands these are real people, not “those people”. “We’re living among ‘those people’ – they work at restaurants, they work at stores, they are in our community – and we need to help them be well,” she said. Judge Beyers confessed she wasn’t quite sure how to handle having cameras in the courtroom while also protecting the participants. She gave them the opportunity to object to having their information shared with the press. On the day the court session was filmed, Mr. Travis told the group of his purpose for being there and the angle of his investigative report. Judge Beyers said he was very kind, put everyone at ease, and stayed in the back of the courtroom to not be a distraction. She reminded the participants that she “had their backs” and gave the participants a chance to speak with the lawyers, who came back advocating for two people (one with an unusual first name, which would make her easily identifiable, and one who suffers from paranoia). She then put into effect a Rule 22 order requiring the media to omit participants’ last names and to blur faces when shown on camera. During the court proceedings, Judge Beyers said she didn’t sense anyone adjusting their behavior for CACJ Newsletter | July 2023 2 | Page

court because the media was there. Following the court session, Mr. Travis asked if he could follow some of the participants to see how they were doing in the program, and none of the participants were interested. However, a graduate, Rachel, who Judge Beyers hadn’t seen in years, happened to be in court and agreed to speak with the journalist. Rachel’s interview became the face of the story that aired on Fox 5 News. Judge Beyers said her goal in doing the story was to educate the community on mental health and to let people know that underutilized mental health courts exist. She said for years the judicial system has locked up people and then expected them to magically be different when they get out. She said mental health court is the best thing she does and the only thing she does that makes sense. Throughout the interview, Judge Beyers was mindful to ”serve the greater good” and other mental health courts in the state. She knew politicians would be watching so she wanted to talk about the biggest challenge mental health courts face – a lack of stable housing for participants. She said in dealing with the press, it is crucial to control the message so you can get the important information out while also protecting the participants. She advises court programs have the right person interact with the press. She also added that her office was not prepared for the influx of calls that came in from concerned family members and friends seeking help for their loved ones after the news story aired. Judge Beyers said she was pleased with the experience and the final story that aired on TV. She had trusted her gut and done all she could to protect her participants while also educating the public on solutions to the mental health crisis. She said in terms of her program, she is proud of the cohesive team of professionals that have been doing this work well for a long time. “To get a mental health court off the ground and to keep it up for 10 years is a big deal,” she said. CACJ Newsletter | July 2023 3 | Page

Towaliga Accountability Courts’ Paulding County MHC Graduation 67th Graduation Ceremony Under the direction of Judge Angela Woodall, Paulding The Towaliga Accountability Courts celebrated their 67th County’s Mental Health Accountability Court celebrated graduation ceremony on Friday, May 26, 2023. Started by its 7th Graduation on June 8, 2023. Hannah B. the Honorable William A. Fears in 2005, the program has graduated with success. The Paulding County Mental witnessed over 200 participants be successful and Health Court is an 18-month program that offers a less graduate. On this day, Ms. Reabar E. became graduate costly, more effective alternative to incarceration. The number 210 as she successfully completed the Adult court assists individuals with mental illnesses who have Felony Drug Court program. come in contact with the criminal justice system. Supreme Court Justice Verda M. Colvin was our special Participants are provided intensive mental health and guest speaker for the graduation ceremony. Justice substance abuse counseling, medical follow-up, Colvin shared a very inspiring message for our graduates frequent random drug and alcohol testing, random as well as the other active participants in attendance. home visits, and strict curfew monitoring. Justice Colvin was the sentencing Superior Court Judge in the Macon Judicial Circuit when Ms. E. first encountered Judge Woodall is assisted in carrying out the mission of the criminal justice system several years ago, and it was a the Mental Health Court by a team of criminal justice beautiful scene to see the full circle of redemption for Ms. professionals. The team members are Senior Assistant E. with Justice Colvin in attendance. District Attorney Robert Lane, Chief Public Defender The Towaliga Accountability Courts vision statement is Michael Syrop, Delicia Julien LAPC Counselor, the “Transforming Communities, One Life at a Time,” and Ms. Northrop Group, Community Supervision Officer Johnny E.’s story certainly highlights tremendous personal McAfee, Deputy Lebo from Paulding Sheriff's Office, and growth. The Towaliga Accountability Courts are led by the Court Coordinator Lauren Ortiz. “As we reflect on the Honorable William A. Fears with Mr. Steven Giglio serving productive changes Hannah has made since entering as Director. the program, I look forward to seeing what she does in Submitted by Steve Giglio, Towaliga Accountability Courts the next few years,” said Judge Woodall. “I believe we Director have seen a change in her that has launched her onto a successful path of goal setting and long-term CACJ Newsletter | July 2023 achievements. She knows she can do anything she sets her mind to. I am grateful that a federal grant has invested in a program that can launch new beginnings for Paulding County citizens struggling with mental health issues that become involved in the criminal justice system.” Submitted by Lauren Ortiz, Paulding County Mental Health Court Coordinator 4 | Page

Cordele Circuit Drug Court Celebrates National Treatment Court Month with Family Fun Day Event The Cordele Circuit Adult Felony Drug Court hosted its first Family Fun Day in honor of National Treatment Court Month on Saturday, May 27 at the Blue and Gray Park located in Fitzgerald. The Cordele Circuit collaborated with the Lowndes County Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Veterans Court, along with the Alapaha Drug Court and Tifton DUI Court to bring recognition to the various treatment courts in the area. Local and surrounding recovery support groups represented were Celebrate Recovery hosted by Christian Fellowship, Inc. under the direction of Michelle Collins and Oasis Recovery Community – Tifton under the direction of Michelle Calhoun. This event served as a family fun event that incorporated testimonies of participants that are currently in recovery. Sara Madison, Substance Abuse Counselor with the Cordele Circuit Drug Court, brought educational insight to the family members that were in attendance by informing them of the effects that drugs have on the body and behaviors and provided tips on issuing tough love. She also informed the family members of support groups for those who have loved ones battling addiction such Al-Anon and Nar-Anon. The event was a huge success with approximately 75 participants and family members. We would like to thank our sponsors for their donations: D & G Auto (Kathy and Jesse Davis), Barbara Harris, Lowndes County Accountability, Josh Lydic, Middle Flint Health and Wellness, Oasis Recovery Community, and City Councilman Kevin Johnson. We would also like to thank the Fitzgerald Fire Department, the Fitzgerald Police Department, and Batts Bounce Party Rentals for providing entertainment and safety training for the children in attendance. We would like to extend a special thanks to City Councilman Kevin Johnson, County Commissioner Hope Harmon, and Dr. Lillie Bryant for coming out to support this event. Submitted by Barbara Little, Cordele Circuit Drug Court Coordinator CACJ Newsletter | July 2023 5 | Page

Model Courts Feature The goal of Georgia’s Accountability Court Model Court program is to recognize the great work of accountability courts across the state, as well as identify strong programs that may serve as mentors for other courts. Programs identified as Model Courts are those that have met and exceeded adherence to Georgia’s Standards as dictated by strong performance on certification and peer review processes. To recognize the talent and expertise of the accountability court community, each month CACJ will recognize a model court or two and their work in the substance use and mental health fields. Atlantic Judicial Circuit Drug Court Model DUI Court (2023-2026) Atlantic Judicial Circuit Drug Court Team Members Coordinator: Glenda Harriman Judge: Honorable D. Day Stewart Assistant DA: Alexis Antonucci Public Defender: Patrick Sancomb Probation Officer: Alexis Williams Case Manager: Hailey Baxter Law Enforcement Officers: Sanquettia Sibert, Christopher Reed Program Director for Treatment (Recovery Place, Inc.): Kascey Ifill Court Name: Atlantic Judicial Circuit Drug Court 6 | Page Presiding Judge: The Honorable D. Jay Stewart has been with the program since inception. Coordinator: Glenda M. Harriman has been the Coordinator since May 7, 2013. CACJ Newsletter | July 2023

Program Inception Date: January 2009 Number of Graduates to Date: 147 Current Program Census: 28 Recidivism Rate: 32% Innovative Practices/Unique Programming: Mrs. Harriman: “Our Drug Court is a ‘pre-adjudication’ court program that allows the participant to plea into Drug Court, and their sentence is held in abeyance until they successfully complete the Drug Court Program. Once they complete the program, the charges they plead into Drug Court with are dismissed. This is a great incentive for the participant to be in the program, take advantage of the treatment services, get, and stay clean and sober, and to complete the program.” Why does the judge choose to preside over the accountability court? What does he hope to accomplish as a model court? Judge Stewart: “Prior to January 1, 2009, there were no accountability courts in the Atlantic Judicial Circuit. As a lawyer who practiced in this circuit prior to taking the bench on January 1, 2007, I recognized the need for a drug court as I had seen the effectiveness and benefits of drug court in the lives of some of my clients. I began plans to create a drug court in our circuit as soon as practicable after taking the bench. I have never regretted that decision. I hope that being recognized as a model court would (1). encourage other judges to value drug court from an implementation standpoint and as an option when considering the disposition in appropriate criminal cases, and (2). that potential participants would look at the model court designation as evidence of the program's credibility. What is the coordinator most proud of in terms of the program’s success? What does he/she hope to accomplish as a model court? Mrs. Harriman: “This Coordinator is most proud of how this accountability Court provides the opportunity for participants to learn the tools from treatment to get and stay clean and sober. Through the evidence-based curriculum provided to them, they learn so many ways to handle triggers with their substance abuse addiction, as well as everyday struggles they may face. Participants are prepared for when they graduate from the program so they can stay substance free and return to the community as productive members.” What is something you wish you knew at program inception that you hope to impart to newer courts? Judge Stewart: “I would encourage new courts to attempt to establish a relationship with one treatment provider that will remain with the court for the duration. Our Court has enjoyed a great relationship with Recovery Place, Inc. since the inception of our program. This stability in treatment has been a significant factor in the effectiveness of our program. I am aware of other courts who have not had this consistency which has resulted in a lack of continuity and stability in the program.” Anything else you wish to include? Mrs. Harriman: “Accountability courts and drug courts save lives!” CACJ Newsletter | July 2023 7 | Page

Sharing Your Stories: 8 Communication Tips for Coordinators As treatment court professionals, it is important to get out the message of the worthwhile work we are doing in changing lives and creating healthier communities. Not only do we want to shout of the renewed lives and reunited families, but we also want to secure community partnerships, assure program stakeholders, and convince those with funding streams to support our programs. Many people decline to promote their programs because they are not comfortable writers. And working with the media can be an intimidating task that many court professionals avoid. I worked as a travel writer and editor for nearly a decade and then served as the Treatment Services Director for the Northeastern Judicial Circuit for 15 years. I now serve as a contractor for CACJ and publish the monthly newsletter. As a writer and treatment court professional, I wanted to offer some tips that can help you feel more comfortable getting your message out and sound advice based on my personal experience, as well as what is submitted to CACJ for publication in the monthly newsletter. 1. Permission – Before ever speaking with the media or submitting any type of article to a website, newsletter, or vehicle for publication, be sure to have permission from your presiding judge and court administrator, if you have one in your circuit. Discuss with them the chain of command when receiving media inquiries and what topics you are permitted to discuss. Who is the identified spokesperson for your program? Do you need to have someone review your article before it gets submitted? Do you need to go through your county or circuit’s public information officer to disseminate graduation successes and supportive program statistics? 2. Protect your participants – Everyone wants to tell the feel-good stories of how far participants have come in recovery and showcase their participant give-back projects and community events. However, our priority should be to protect the people who are in the program. Just because you have participants who freely share the specifics of their recovery journey doesn’t mean it is prudent to publish all the particulars of their lives. They have families, employers, and future selves that need to be considered. The first thing to do before having participants tell their stories publicly is to have them review All Rise’s (formerly known as the National Association of Drug Court Professionals) document, Sharing Your Treatment Court Message. They need to consider all the scenarios when sharing their details with the world. Secondly, even though their criminal charges and acceptance into an accountability court is public record, their participation in treatment is not. As treatment court professionals, we are bound by Title 42 CFR Part 2 and are prohibited from disclosing their protected information without written consent. Before you share any details of their lived experiences, make sure your 42 CFR Part 2 waiver covers public release of information like this. It is best to have them sign a waiver specifically authorizing your program to publish information in a public forum. If your program does not already have one in place, CACJ has a template you can customize for your court. 3. Protect yourself – When generating stories about your program or responding to posts on social media, be sure to consider how it reflects your program. We are extensions of the judges to whom we serve, and we want to always keep that in the forefront of our minds. The last thing you want is to inadvertently cause embarrassment to your judge and program. Borrowing from a news story about a teacher’s inappropriate post on social media, I would always remind staff to “never post anything online that you wouldn’t feel comfortable posting on the front door of the courthouse”. You have your own opinions and are entitled to them, but you want to be sensitive to your employer when deciding whether to publicly express them. When in doubt, hold your tongue. 4. Don’t let your guard down – Whether you invited the press to cover your graduation event or a reporter calls you for an interview on what treatment courts are doing in response to the opioid crisis, always remember there is no such thing as “off the record”. If you don’t want to see something printed in the newspaper, then don’t talk about it with the reporter, no matter how well you may know him/her. And if a member of the press calls you on a topic you don’t feel comfortable discussing, know that you don’t have to answer questions right away. Take down his/her contact information and let him/her know you will schedule a time to discuss it but don’t feel the need to respond to the pressure of an impending deadline. You are more likely to say something you will regret later if you feel pressured. Remember tip #1 in this case, as well, and be sure to inform your judge or identified “message manager” so the appropriate person can respond to the request. CACJ Newsletter | July 2023 8 | Page

5. Know your audience and angle – When submitting a story for publication, keep in mind your intended audience. If you write a press release for the local newspaper celebrating your recent graduation event, be sure to include some program statistics and a quick description of your program. This is an opportunity to educate potential community partners, elected officials, and unknowing citizens about the benefits of accountability courts. If you tell the accountability court community about your program’s new innovative approach or highlight your most recent pro-social activity, remember that you don’t have to “sell” your program to this audience who already understands this work and can refrain from giving your court’s “elevator speech” in the article. If you are reporting to stakeholders, be sure to include positive data about your court’s effectiveness and the cost savings it provides taxpayers, in addition to the touching stories that can inspire them. 6. Remember the basics – When I was in journalism school, I had a professor who would automatically fail any student who misspelled a source’s name. He would inform us that misspelling a person’s name in print was one of the most disrespectful things you could do. He would also tell us to never assume a name’s spelling and to always ask because “John Smith” could, in cases, be spelled “Jon Smyth.” Be sure to spell the names of your participants, graduates, judges, team members, graduation speakers, and distinguished guests correctly. If you are not completely sure of the spelling, always verify it. Likewise, be sure to accurately report program data and statistics. Don’t ever guess these details because once they are in print, they are there to stay. If you misreport information, you lose credibility for your program. Additionally, it is a good idea to have someone review your work for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and conciseness before submitting it, especially if you do not consider yourself a strong writer. 7. Employ crisis management – The downside to working with accountability courts is that there are times when bad things happen such as participant overdose deaths or crimes committed by participants that garner the interest of the press. Thankfully, All Rise provides Managing the Message During the Crisis. I recommend you read this document before you ever need it. Also, reach out to CACJ staff for help navigating those difficult situations and to keep them informed of all media coverage involving accountability courts. 8. Use your resources – You don’t have to agonize over writing press releases, sharing participant successes, and promoting your program. All Rise has four documents that can give you confidence and guide you in this role. Find the following documents on the All Rise website: • Media Guide • Sharing Your Treatment Court Message • Managing the Message During a Crisis • National Treatment Court Month Toolkit Submitted by Debbie Mott, CACJ Contractor Equity and Inclusion Team Training Who Can Attend: Adult accountability court teams (Adult Drug, Mental Health, Veterans, DUI) Where: In-person, Stone Mountain, Georgia When: October 25-26, 2023 Speakers: National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) This training program is designed for jurisdictions interested in addressing racial disparities and bias to ensure equivalent access, retention, treatment, incentives and sanctions, and dispositions. The training will allow the teams to analyze data and determine program barriers. Only 5 teams can attend, register early if interested in this opportunity. Register Here CACJ Newsletter | July 2023 9 | Page

Social Media Launch The Council of Accountability Court Judges (CACJ) is proud to announce the launch of our first and official social media page on LinkedIn. Starting July 1, the accountability court community can connect with CACJ on LinkedIn. The LinkedIn page is designed to share the awesome work of accountability courts and showcase accountability court professionals across the state. We welcome courts to share content focused on recovery and accountability court best practices. The page will also feature exciting new content such as the Judges’ Corner, Coordinator Spotlight, Accountability Court Data, and more. Be on the lookout for an interview request from Debbie Mott or Christina Frazier, requesting your permission to be featured in the newsletter and LinkedIn pages. Georgia Accountability Courts Career Opportunities Please see the Career Opportunities tab (under About Us) on the CACJ website for information about these job postings: *Athens-Clarke County Contract Services Clinician *Brunswick Circuit Drug Court Contract Clinician *Cherokee County Drug Court Case Manager *Conasauga Judicial Circuit MHC Treatment Provider *DeKalb County Admin Specialist/Bi-Lingual Case Mgr. *DeKalb County Wellness Court Counselor *DeKalb County Clinical Coordinator *Fayette County Case Manager *Floyd County Contract Treatment Provider *Forsyth County Contract Counselors *Fulton County DUI Court Assoc. Licensed Clinician *Fulton County Behavioral Health Clinician II *Glynn County Lead Clinical Director *Griffin Circuit Contract Counselors *Hall County Treatment Services Clinical Director *Henry County Case Manager *Henry County Behavioral Health Clinician *Pickens County FTC Program Coordinator *Pickens County VTC Case Manager (Part-time) August 2023 Newsletter Submissions Please send submissions for the August 2023 newsletter to Debbie Mott ([email protected]) by Friday, July 28. If you plan to include a photo where participants can be identified, please be sure to send a signed photo consent with your submission. 2023 Family Treatment Court Practice Academy Launched in 2010 by the Center for Children and Family Futures (CCFF), the Family Treatment Court (FTC) Practice Academy offers web-based training courses at no cost for FTC professionals as well as staff from child welfare, substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health treatment, family services, dependency court, and other related areas.   Building Strong Futures: Increasing FTC Capacity and Scale Live Conversation: July 25, 2023 | 2:00 pm ET Peer-to-Peer Idea Exchange: August 22, 2023 | 1:00 pm ET Building Secure Futures: Bonding and Attachment Support for Parents and Their Infants Affected by Substance Use Live Conversation: October 26, 2023 | 2:00 pm ET Peer-to-Peer Idea Exchange: November 16, 2023 | 2:00 pm ET CACJ Newsletter | July 2023 10 | P a g e

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