87R10185 BK-D
 
  By: A. Johnson of Harris H.R. No. 168
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, More than a decade ago, Harris County began creating
  specialty courts that are designed to rehabilitate and reduce
  recidivism in juvenile offenders; and
         WHEREAS, The first of these courts, a mental health program
  that was renamed Court 360, was established in January 2009; the
  court was intended to address the unique needs of youth with mental
  health conditions, but it has since adopted a comprehensive
  approach where participants receive individualized guidance in
  various areas of their lives, including family relationships,
  academic performance, and community engagement; this court is
  currently presided over by Judge Dena Fisher; and
         WHEREAS, The Sobriety Over Addiction and Relapse Court, or
  SOAR Court, was created in July 2010; presided over by Judge
  Michelle Moore and Associate Judge Eric Andell, it utilizes a
  collaborative multidisciplinary model to help juvenile offenders
  overcome drug and alcohol dependence; as with Court 360,
  participants in the SOAR Court program are provided with an
  individualized, research-based treatment plan with the objective
  of improving outcomes by promoting healthier family communication
  and interaction; and
         WHEREAS, In August 2011, the county established what would
  later be known as the Creating Advocacy Recovery and Empowerment
  (CARE) Court; overseen by Judge Leah Shapiro, CARE Court was
  developed to assist young women and girls who had been exploited in
  commercial sex trafficking, but it later began accepting boys,
  young men, and transgender youth as well; the program employs a
  clinically driven, multidisciplinary team, with a comprehensive
  focus on resolving trauma and other underlying issues that
  contribute to at-risk and delinquent behavior; and
         WHEREAS, The newest specialty court, GRIP Court, was founded
  in October 2011; officially known as the Gang Recidivism
  Intervention Program, the court is presided over by Judge Natalia
  Oakes and Associate Judge William Thursland; its purpose is to
  reduce gang association by promoting pro-social behaviors,
  redirecting youth to healthier alternatives, and improving family
  relationships; participants are closely monitored and receive
  individualized treatment plans, which include mentorship,
  educational assistance, and other means of support; and
         WHEREAS, Each of these programs has played a vital role in
  Harris County's efforts to curb delinquency, tackle the root causes
  of criminal behavior, and offer at-risk youth a pathway to a better,
  brighter future, and it is a privilege to recognize those who have
  devoted their time and expertise to these important goals; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
  Legislature hereby honor the alternative juvenile justice courts of
  Harris County for their 10 years of invaluable service to the
  community and extend to all those involved with these programs
  sincere best wishes for continued success.