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

Latest Episodes:

8. From Rock Bottom to Recovery: Jennifer’s Journey of Resilience Through a Midland County Specialty Court Program May 12, 2024

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:

7. Beyond the Bench: A Conversation on Specialty Courts and Leadership with Judge Phillips Apr 27, 2024

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)

6. Things You Should Know When You Create a Texas Specialty Court Mar 16, 2024

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/

5. It’s All About the Kids and the Data Feb 29, 2024

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.