The PodTASC: Promoting Healthy Communities Through Innovative Treatments Within Texas Specialty Court Programs

In this episode of Justice and Recovery: Exploring Texas Specialty Court Programs, we sit down with Erin Garza, North Texas Regional Account Manager for Smart Start—a company that’s been saving lives through alcohol monitoring technology for over 30 years. A former Dallas County probation officer, Erin shares her journey into the field and gives us an inside look at how Smart Start’s ignition interlock and portable alcohol monitoring devices go beyond compliance—they create accountability, support recovery, and help participants succeed. With no long-term contracts, specialty court discounts, and over 30 service centers in North Texas alone, Smart Start continues to evolve with the needs of courts and clients alike. Whether you’re a judge, coordinator, or treatment provider, this episode is a must-listen for understanding the role technology can play in your program. 🔗 Learn more at smartstartinc.com

This week on Justice & Recovery, we're excited to feature Jaylen Nalls from Intoxalock, a proud sponsor of the TX Association of Specialty Courts conference! Jaylen shares his journey in criminal justice, highlighting the critical need for resources to address drunk driving. Learn about Intoxalock's history, their diverse services like ignition interlock devices and portable options, and their commitment to 24/7 customer support and free roadside assistance. Jaylen explains how Intoxalock works with individuals during challenging times and their extensive network of service centers across Texas. Discover what makes Intoxalock unique: their reliable devices, robust support, and status as the only vendor integrated into the Case Management System (CSS). Jaylen also discusses Intoxalock's partnership with Specialty Courts, sharing inspiring stories from sponsoring a Mental Health Court graduation. Tune in to hear how Intoxalock is making a real difference in recovery and public safety. Find out more at INTOXALOCK.

This episode of Justice & Recovery is essential for Texas Specialty Court programs receiving state grants. We delve into the Texas Peer Review Model and Best Assessments, explaining their potential to significantly improve and strengthen program operations. Join host Liz Wiggins, the official podcast of the Texas Association of Specialty Courts, as we highlight the real people behind the work and the tangible impact of these programs. Guests: Amber Gregory, Specialty Court Resource Center Juliette Mackin, NPC Research Laura Hunter, NPC Research Our expert guests provide valuable insights into how the Texas Peer Review Model and Best Assessments will affect Texas Specialty Court programs, ultimately aiming to strengthen the justice system. Contact the show with comments or questions by emailing [email protected]. Texas Association of Specialty Courts (TASC): http://www.tasctx.org/ TASC Award Nominations: http://www.tasctx.org/awards.html Specialty Court Resource Center: https://www.txspecialtycourts.org/ NPC Research: https://npcresearch.com/ BeST Assessment: https://allrise.org/trainings/best-assessment-tool/

Today's episode includes guest speaker, Hank Judin, a longtime criminal defense attorney in the Dallas area who serves as the defense attorney for the Dallas Initiative for Diversion and Expedited Rehabilitation and Treatment (DIVERT Court) program. He is also a past president of the TASC board and a past president of the Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.    As promised, links/information discussed during the show can be found below:  Contact the show with comments or questions by emailing [email protected]. TASC is hosting its annual training conference on March 24-26, 2025, in Corpus Christi. Registration is open now. Learn more: http://tasctx.org/conference.html Texas Association of Specialty Courts (TASC): http://www.tasctx.org/ TASC Award Nominations: http://www.tasctx.org/awards.html Hank Judin law firm: https://www.judinlaw.com/attorney/judin-c-h-hank-iii/ DIVERT program: https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/criminal-justice/divert-court-program.php

Welcome back for our next episode on Season 2. As a reminder, The PodTASC has been rebranded to Justice & Recovery. Same show, different name, as we continue to explore Texas Specialty Court programs. Liz brings another wonderful guest speaker to the show - Stephen Ellison, a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor of Midland County. Stephen shares his journey from a career in the food industry to his current role as the Intensive Outpatient Program Counselor for several specialty court programs. Links/information discussed during the show can be found below:  Contact the show with comments or questions by emailing [email protected]. TASC is hosting its annual training conference on March 24-26, 2025, in Corpus Christi. Registration is now open! Learn more: http://tasctx.org/conference.html Texas Association of Specialty Courts (TASC): http://www.tasctx.org/ TASC Award Nominations: http://www.tasctx.org/awards.html Midland Probation Department programs:  https://midlandcountymi.gov/probation Midland County DWI Court: https://www.co.midland.tx.us/778/DWI-Court Family Promise: https://www.familypromiseofmidland.com/ Fair Havens: https://mfh.org/ Oxford House: https://www.oxfordhousetx.org/ Salvation Army: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/texas-midland Springboard Center: https://springboardcenter.org/ Thriving United: https://thrivingunited.org/ Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing – Book by Jay Stringer: https://a.co/d/eDRkm64 Maxie’s of Las Vegas: https://maxieslv.com/ Brene Brown: https://brenebrown.com/ Adam Grant: https://adamgrant.net/

We are back with another season of the show! We've renamed the show from The PodTASC to Justice & Recovery. In season 1, we had over 1,000 downloads! We are starting this 2nd season off with an overview about Texas specialty court programs. Welcome Hilary Wright to the show. She is a prosecutor in Tarrant County and joined the TASC Board this past year. She is the Vice President and Education & Committee Chair. She prepared this presentation and you can find the video on our YouTube channel. This podcast episode is the audio only version. As a reminder, this presentation gives a general overview of all specialty court types in Texas, each program may differ slightly from the overview provided and the audience should refer to the each program handbook for specific rules and guidelines about that program.  Email questions or comments to [email protected]. Show links:  Specialty Courts: An Introduction (YouTube video) Texas Association of Specialty Courts Specialty Court Resource Center

Jennifer McMorries of Midland County joins the show to share her struggle to sobriety. Her story can give you hope after addiction and strength to break the cycle. Jennifer shares about her struggles and the kindness she received along the way. She shares about the people that inspired her and how she now uses her past experiences to help others. She is a living example of "paying it forward" and brave example of power of recovery.    Show links:  Midland County Probation Department  Midland County Drug Court Thriving United RISE24 (Conference) AllRise Texas Association of Specialty Courts

Judge Phillips of Grayson County joins Liz on The PodTASC for a discussion of his journey from his legal practice to policy work to the bench and beyond. He picked up the reigns as TASC President on March 27, 2024, and is ready to lead the statewide organization in its continued transformation from education-focus to impact-focus. From the heroes that inspired him to the best practices that he strives to always implement, Judge Phillips shares how Texas courts can lead the charge in recovery.   Show links:  Grayson County Website, 59th District Court Texas Counseling Association  Texas Association of Specialty Courts Judicial Commission on Mental Health Texoma Behavioral Health Leadership Team AllRise (Formerly known as National Drug Court Professionals)

Liz is back on The PodTASC to discuss the things you should know when creating a new program in Texas. Guest speakers are Erin Morgan, the current TASC Board President, and Amber Gregory, TASC Executive Director and Program Manager for the Specialty Court Resource Center.  If you've been thinking about starting a treatment program in a court near you, this is the episode to listen to. Even if you already have a program, there are tips in this episode that can help you.  As promised, find links and information below about what was discussed in the show:  Contact the show with comments or questions by emailing [email protected]. TASC is hosting its annual training conference on March 26-28, 2024, in Fort Worth. Registration opened January 5th. Learn more: http://tasctx.org/conference.html Learn more about the Texas Association of Specialty Courts (TASC) at http://tasctx.org/index.html. Learn more about the Specialty Court Resource Center: http://www.txspecialtycourts.org/index.html  Learn more about SAHMSA Grants: https://www.samhsa.gov/grants  Learn more about the Office of Court Administration: https://www.txcourts.gov/about-texas-courts/specialty-courts/  Learn more about Criminal Justice Division funding: https://egrants.gov.texas.gov/ Learn more about the Bureau of Justice Assistance funding: https://bja.ojp.gov/funding Learn more about the NPC Research Best Assessment: https://allrise.org/trainings/best-assessment-tool/

The PodTASC is back with another phenomenal guest speaker, Rosie Medina, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer of El Paso County. Rosie shares about her experiences with juvenile specialty court programs and how data can be used to reevaluate your program. Juvenile specialty or treatment court programs impact children, teens, and families. These programs include juvenile drug courts and juvenile mental health courts.  As promised, find links/information below about what was discussed in the show:  Contact the show with comments or questions by emailing [email protected]. TASC is hosting its annual training conference on March 26-28, 2024, in Fort Worth. Registration opened January 5th. Learn more: http://tasctx.org/conference.html Learn more about the Texas Association of Specialty Courts (TASC) at http://tasctx.org/index.html. Learn more about El Paso Juvenile Probation Department programs and about Rosie Medina here: https://juv.epcounty.com/#services Learn more about the Annie E. Casey Foundation here: https://www.aecf.org To learn more the National Council for Juvenile and Family Court Judges, see: https://www.ncjfcj.org

The Honorable Aurora Martinez- Jones joins the show to talk about her Family Drug Treatment Court program in Austin, Texas. She shares about the best practices that guide her team and how  the program impacts families. This program serves a variety of participants, including single mothers, single fathers, pregnant or expecting mothers, and more.   As promised, find links/information below about what was discussed in the show:  Contact the show with comments or questions by emailing [email protected]. TASC is hosting its annual training conference on March 26-28, 2024, in Fort Worth. Registration opened January 5th. Learn more: http://tasctx.org/conference.html Learn more about the Texas Association of Specialty Courts (TASC) at http://tasctx.org/index.html. Learn more about All Rise here: https://allrise.org/ and about their annual conference being held on May 22-25, 2024 in California, here: https://allrise.org/trainings/rise/ To contact Judge Aurora Martinez-Jones, see the Travis County County directory page: https://www.traviscountytx.gov/courts/civil/district/126 Learn more about the Travis County Family Drug Treatment Court (Parenting in Recovery): https://www.parentinginrecovery.com/ The National Council for Juvenile and Children Court Judges: https://www.ncjfcj.org/ The Texas Children's Commission: https://www.texaschildrenscommission.gov/

Liz is back with an inspirational guest speaker, Devon Anderson, the CEO/President of Justice Forward. Devon shares how Justice Forward supports 23 specialty courts in Harris, Galveston and Fort Bend Counties. With creative inspirational incentives and ideas on how to focus on housing opportunities for participants, this episode has tips for everyone.  As promised, find links/information below about what was discussed in the show:  Contact the show with comments or questions by emailing [email protected] TASC is hosting its annual training conference on March 26-28, 2024, in Fort Worth. Registration opened January 5th. Learn more: http://tasctx.org/conference.html Learn more about the Texas Association of Specialty Courts (TASC) at http://tasctx.org/index.html. Learn more about Justice Forward here: https://www.justiceforwardtx.org/about-us and learn about their upcoming events at https://www.justiceforwardtx.org/events Learn about party sober and their events here: https://www.partysober.org To learn more about free nonprofit management classes, see: https://www.nonprofitready.org

Liz brings another fantastic guest speaker to the show, Faustino "Tino" Lopez, the Director of the Hidalgo County Adult Probation Department. Tino shares how the role of probation has evolved over the years and how the role of a probation officer fits in the specialty court treatment team.  As promised, find links/information below about what was discussed in the show:  Contact the show with comments or questions by emailing [email protected]. TASC is hosting its annual training conference on March 26-28, 2024, in Fort Worth. Registration opened January 5th. Learn more: http://tasctx.org/conference.html Learn more about the Texas Association of Specialty Courts (TASC) at http://tasctx.org/index.html. Learn more about All Rise here: https://allrise.org/ and about their annual conference being held on May 22-25, 2024 in California, here: https://allrise.org/trainings/rise/ Behavioral Health Solutions https://www.bhsst.org/  To contact Tino Lopez, see the Hidalgo County directory page: https://www.hidalgocounty.us/directory.aspx?eid=260   

Liz tries out her newly acquired podcasting skills in the PodTASC's first episode with guest speaker, the Honorable Laura Barker, of County Court at Law #2 in Williamson County, TX. Judge Barker shares how she uses best practices with her Veteran's Treatment Court and DWI/Drug Court programs, and how she strives to ensure her programs meet the ever-changing needs of the community. These programs consider the role mental health plays in challenges for participants and the need for individualized treatment.  As promised, find links/information below about what was discussed in the show:  Contact the show with comments or questions by emailing [email protected]. TASC is hosting its annual training conference on March 26-28, 2024, in Fort Worth. Registration opens January 5th. Learn more: http://tasctx.org/conference.html Learn more about the Texas Association of Specialty Courts (TASC) at http://tasctx.org/index.html. Learn more about All Rise here: https://allrise.org/ and about their annual conference being held on May 22-25, 2024 in California, here: https://allrise.org/trainings/rise/. Information about the Texas Center for the Judiciary's annual DWI court team training can be found https://www.yourhonor.com/Online/Online/Events/2024-Conferences/2024-DWI-Conferences/Home.aspx?EventKey=24DWICT.  To contact Judge Barker, see the Williamson County directory page: https://www.wilcotx.gov/426/Court-at-Law-Two   

The Texas Association of Specialty Courts is bringing you a podcast solely dedicated to all things specialty court programs. Join us in January 2024 as we kick off our first episode!   For questions and comments, email [email protected] and to learn more about TASC visit our website at http://tasctx.org/.    For information about the 2024 TASC conference, visit http://tasctx.org/conference.html.