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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, More than a decade ago, Harris County began creating |
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specialty courts that are designed to rehabilitate and reduce |
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recidivism in juvenile offenders; and |
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WHEREAS, The first of these courts, a mental health program |
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that was renamed Court 360, was established in January 2009; the |
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court was intended to address the unique needs of youth with mental |
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health conditions, but it has since adopted a comprehensive |
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approach where participants receive individualized guidance in |
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various areas of their lives, including family relationships, |
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academic performance, and community engagement; this court is |
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currently presided over by Judge Dena Fisher; and |
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WHEREAS, The Sobriety Over Addiction and Relapse Court, or |
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SOAR Court, was created in July 2010; presided over by Judge |
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Michelle Moore and Associate Judge Eric Andell, it utilizes a |
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collaborative multidisciplinary model to help juvenile offenders |
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overcome drug and alcohol dependence; as with Court 360, |
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participants in the SOAR Court program are provided with an |
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individualized, research-based treatment plan with the objective |
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of improving outcomes by promoting healthier family communication |
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and interaction; and |
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WHEREAS, In August 2011, the county established what would |
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later be known as the Creating Advocacy Recovery and Empowerment |
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(CARE) Court; overseen by Judge Leah Shapiro, CARE Court was |
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developed to assist young women and girls who had been exploited in |
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commercial sex trafficking, but it later began accepting boys, |
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young men, and transgender youth as well; the program employs a |
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clinically driven, multidisciplinary team, with a comprehensive |
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focus on resolving trauma and other underlying issues that |
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contribute to at-risk and delinquent behavior; and |
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WHEREAS, The newest specialty court, GRIP Court, was founded |
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in October 2011; officially known as the Gang Recidivism |
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Intervention Program, the court is presided over by Judge Natalia |
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Oakes and Associate Judge William Thursland; its purpose is to |
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reduce gang association by promoting pro-social behaviors, |
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redirecting youth to healthier alternatives, and improving family |
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relationships; participants are closely monitored and receive |
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individualized treatment plans, which include mentorship, |
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educational assistance, and other means of support; and |
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WHEREAS, Each of these programs has played a vital role in |
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Harris County's efforts to curb delinquency, tackle the root causes |
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of criminal behavior, and offer at-risk youth a pathway to a better, |
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brighter future, and it is a privilege to recognize those who have |
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devoted their time and expertise to these important goals; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor the alternative juvenile justice courts of |
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Harris County for their 10 years of invaluable service to the |
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community and extend to all those involved with these programs |
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sincere best wishes for continued success. |