Justice & Recovery: Exploring Texas Specialty Court Programs

14. Sponsor Spotlight: A Conversation with SmartStart’s Erin Garza

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 [https://www.smartstartinc.com]

13. Sponsor Spotlight: A Conversation with Intoxalock's Jaylen Nalls

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 [https://www.intoxalock.com/].

12. Strengthening Justice: The Texas Peer Review Model

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 JusticeRecoveryPodcacst@gmail.com. [JusticeRecoveryPodcacst@gmail.com.%20] * Texas Association of Specialty Courts (TASC): http://www.tasctx.org/ [http://www.tasctx.org/] * TASC Award Nominations: http://www.tasctx.org/awards.html [http://www.tasctx.org/awards.html] * Specialty Court Resource Center: https://www.txspecialtycourts.org/ [https://www.txspecialtycourts.org/] * NPC Research: https://npcresearch.com/ [https://npcresearch.com/] * BeST Assessment: https://allrise.org/trainings/best-assessment-tool/ [https://allrise.org/trainings/best-assessment-tool/]

11. Dallas Defense Attorney Perspective: A Lawyer’s Journey with Sobriety & Specialty Courts

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 JusticeRecoveryPodcacst@gmail.com. [JusticeRecoveryPodcacst@gmail.com.%20] * 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 [http://tasctx.org/conference.html] * Texas Association of Specialty Courts (TASC): http://www.tasctx.org/ [http://www.tasctx.org/] * TASC Award Nominations: http://www.tasctx.org/awards.html [http://www.tasctx.org/awards.html] * Hank Judin law firm: https://www.judinlaw.com/attorney/judin-c-h-hank-iii/ [https://www.judinlaw.com/attorney/judin-c-h-hank-iii/] * DIVERT program: https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/criminal-justice/divert-court-program.php [https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/criminal-justice/divert-court-program.php]

10. Designed to Break: Remembering We are Human, Not Superman

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 JusticeRecoveryPodcacst@gmail.com. [JusticeRecoveryPodcacst@gmail.com.%20] * 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 [http://tasctx.org/conference.html] * Texas Association of Specialty Courts (TASC): http://www.tasctx.org/ [http://www.tasctx.org/] * TASC Award Nominations: http://www.tasctx.org/awards.html [http://www.tasctx.org/awards.html] * Midland Probation Department programs:  https://midlandcountymi.gov/probation [https://juv.epcounty.com/#services] * Midland County DWI Court: https://www.co.midland.tx.us/778/DWI-Court [https://www.co.midland.tx.us/778/DWI-Court] * Family Promise: https://www.familypromiseofmidland.com/ [https://www.familypromiseofmidland.com/] * Fair Havens: https://mfh.org/ [https://mfh.org/] * Oxford House: https://www.oxfordhousetx.org/ [https://www.oxfordhousetx.org/] * Salvation Army: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/texas-midland [https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/texas-midland] * Springboard Center: https://springboardcenter.org/ [https://springboardcenter.org/] * Thriving United: https://thrivingunited.org/ [https://thrivingunited.org/] * Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing – Book by Jay Stringer: https://a.co/d/eDRkm64 [https://a.co/d/eDRkm64] * Maxie’s of Las Vegas: https://maxieslv.com/ [https://maxieslv.com/] * Brene Brown: https://brenebrown.com/ [https://brenebrown.com/] * Adam Grant: https://adamgrant.net/ [https://adamgrant.net/]