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 ThePodTASC@gmail.com.
• 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 ThePodTASC@gmail.com.
• 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 ThePodTASC@gmail.com.
• 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 ThePodTASC@gmail.com
• 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 ThePodTASC@gmail.com.
• 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 ThePodTASC@gmail.com.
• 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