Dallas county community supervision and corrections
Views and visions
Directors corner
Statewide Risk and Need Instrument mandated for CSCD use by 2015 (Update) March 2014 As reported in my last Director’s Corner, effective as of January 1, Michael E. Noyes, Ph.D. 2015, Community Supervision and Corrections Departments in the State of Texas will be required by the Community Justice Assistance Division (CJAD) to use a “new” standardized risk and need assessment instrument to assess each defendant at the time of his or her initial placement on probation. This also includes any and all regularly required reassessments. The assessment instrument selected has been named the Texas Risk Assessment System or TRAS. It will replace the Wisconsin and the Strategies for Case Supervision (SCS). The TRAS was developed in 2010, here in Texas, and was modeled after the Ohio Risk Assessment System (ORAS) which was developed by Dr. Ed Latessa and the University of Cincinnati. In August 2011, thirty-one (31) CSCD’s of all sizes were selected to pilot and administer the instrument with Dallas County collecting and processing the data. Data collection was completed this Fall 2013. And, final data analysis was completed by the Harris County CSCD in earlyWinter November 2013— March 2014
Vo l u m e 2 7 In this issue:
Making Positive Changes
9
Directors Corner
1
Who Manages Whom
3
A Tribute to Emily 11 Adelstein
Milestones , NTFB Volunteer Day
5
PAC—Vice Chair
12
All Rise
6
Recipe File
13
Awards Ceremony 15 1
2014. Statewide training on the TRAS has begun and Dallas County is actively participating. Since 2007, Dallas County has been training, piloting by court and validating a similar assessment instrument, the Level of Service Inventory – Revised (LSIR). We have developed excellent LSIR trained officers that have been assigned to our Felony Assessment Center. And, with the recent completion of the LSIR validation on our Dallas County probation clients, we have “risk scores” that will place our clients in the following risk and need categories: High
Moderate High
Moderate
Low
These risk / needs categories will each be matched with the corresponding treatment, services and supervision responses based on the assessed crimonegenic risk / need of each probationers. Our conversion from the supervision of our probationers from the Wisconsin risk assessment to the LSIR was initiated in early Winter 2014 with a pilot in the Central Unit office and our Specialty Courts. We continue to plan forward in approximately three (3) to four (4) month increments, we will transition another satellite office … and another… and another until all of our offices and cases have been converted to supervision strategies sorted by risk via the LSIR. Training, focus groups, support and technical assistance have all been built into the transition. Thank-you Training Specialist, Drew Robison and Court Assessment Services Supervisor, Jennifer Leslie for the “advance teams” that are currently training our current pilot sites and for preparations for trainings to be commenced at each of our satellite units throughout the conversion year. The transition has been constructed to be concluded by the mandated implementation date of January 1, 2015. The most critical part of this change will be the “flipping” of our current caseloads (and possibly some supervision officers) to the new supervision, by risk, as assigned by the LSIR assessment. And, because the LSIR and the TRAS are almost identical in measurement and application, there will be only the tinniest effect when we switch from the use of the “our” LSIR to the “state mandated”TRAS. This coming year will represent one of the most significant changes in the criminal justice system in the State of Texas in many, many years. It will also mark a significant change to the Dallas County CSCD and the delivery of probation supervision services.The upcoming year will indeed be challenging. But the State of Texas is counting on us and will be using our transition as a model. And I know, with our level of experience and professionalism, we will not disappoint.Thank-you for all that you do for the Dallas County CSCD. Michael E. Noyes Ph.D. Director, Dallas County CSCD 2
Who ManagesWhom? Our next spotlighted supervisor comes to us all the way from Sweden, where she was born and raised. Dr. Jill Johansson-Love is the supervising psychologist in the CATS department, where she has worked since 2008. Dr. Love has a myriad of duties and responsibilities within CATS, including overseeing the assessors in CATS, and assigning/staffing cases and reviewing reports and discussing them with courts and officers along with the other supervisors. She and the other supervisors also handles/staffs lethality assessments and have to make decisions based on the needs of the client and the community. Dr. Johansson-Love She is also the supervisor assigned to various specialty courts, such as Divert, DDC-A, Veteran’s Court and IIG, which entails her making herself available for assessors assigned to these particular courts who need to staff cases with her. Dr. Love also provides licensure supervision to assessors and counselors who have doctoral degrees. In addition to these duties, Dr. Love also is the clinical trainer and supervisor for the MIMR caseload officers. She meets monthly with the officers and provides training for them, and makes herself available to these officers to help provide feedback/staff cases with them, and assist them in developing communication with the community mental health providers. Dr. Love has been involved in providing mental health trainings for various officers/units, and she provides training and supervision to the department’s doctoral and undergraduate interns. She also supervises the CATS department clerks and ensures that the front desk runs smoothly and that records are organized and stored properly. Dr. Love has done extensive work regarding domestic violence cases. Together with Judge Magnis and Dr. Dori Hilker, she has helped to develop and enhanced assessment for domestic violence offenders and also a felony domestic violence court program. In addition to this, she represents Dallas County CSCD on a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board in the community. She works with various community groups, including victim advocates and the Dallas Police Department Domestic Violence Unit, and together they created a high risk domestic violence community group that meets monthly in an attempt to provide wrap -around services to select domestic violence cases. Despite all of Dr. Love’s responsibilities, she also finds time to chair the CSCD Awards Committee, a job that she has had for the past five years. Dr. Love likened the CATS unit and her role in it as a “spoke in the CSCD wheel” which enables the organization to function more effectively as a whole. The information that she and the CATS department provide through interviews with clients benefit everyone involved in the process, including the judges, the attorneys, supervising officers in the field, 3
, y a d Sun 4 1 0 2 , 0 2 il r p A
and ultimately the clients themselves, who benefit from the services that they are provided/referred to. Dr. Love indicated that whether or not the court chooses to utilize the CATS recommendations, it is her hope that the officers will use the information provided in the evaluation to help guide their interactions with the clients. Dr. Love stressed that she encourages questions from officers and staff in the field, as she and the CATS department staff are trained and prepared to answer such questions and provide assistance to anyone within CSCD who might have questions regarding mentally ill or substance abusing clients or CATS’ procedures, as she is aware that organizations run more smoothly if the various parts have a good understanding of one another. She indicated that she and the CATS department staff welcome feedback and questions, and she offered that if neither she nor her staff has the answer, they will find someone who does. In terms of her personal life, Dr. Love is married to her husband Michael, and they have a four year old daughter and a one year old son, along with a two year old Doberman. While most of her time is devoted between her family and her job, she also manages to find time to teach Forensic Psychology at SMU. As noted previously, Dr. Love grew up in Sweden, and actually learned English as a second language. She had a multitude of interests growing up, including playing hockey and soccer and participating in track and field events. She also played in a rock group, was interested in theater, the sea scouts, and karate. She was in a Red Cross First Aid group and enjoyed horseback riding. If this isn’t enough, she also took a flight course with the Swedish Air Force and envisions one day getting a license to fly. Today, to relieve stress, she paints colorful pictures and enjoys decorating her house via Craigslist. Dr. Love took a circuitous route to Texas, as from Sweden, she also had stops in Louisiana, where she received her BS in psychology with a minor in Sociology from LSU in 2001, and then traveled to West Virginia, where she received her MS in Clinical Psychology in 2004 and got her PHD in 2007. She completed an internship and post-doctoral placement in various jails in Oklahoma prior to joining CSCD. 4
When asked about her fantasy dinner guests (living or dead), she had difficulty whittling down the list, as would be expected given her wide variety of interests. She ultimately settled on Descartes, Zorn (a Swedish artist), Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, Rose Kennedy, Alfred Nobel, and Jeffrey Dahmer, whom she added that she would like to interview for diagnostic purposes. Dr. Love is an accomplished individual who has a wealth of experience and knowledge, and who is willing to serve in whatever capacity she can to ensure that Dallas County CSCD functions well as a cohesive unit. She strives to provide services to both our clients as well as other CSCD employees, as she understands that working together is the best way to achieve our common goals and achieve our overall mission statement. Dr. Love added as words of encouragement, “Commit to your work, Dallas County CSCD, and be open to change, and opportunities will come your way in this large, ever adapting organization.� Congratulations Dr. Johansson-Love on your new position. Since this article was written Dr. Jill Johansson-Love was promoted to Manager of Research Services and Clinical Training. Congratulations Dr. Johansson-Love on your new position.
MILESTONES: On February 28, 2014 Mr. Ronnie Lyles in the Absconder Warrant Unit retired after 20 years of dedicated services. Congratulations Ronnie.
NTFB VOLUNTEER DAY On March 14, 2014 the North Office volunteered at the NTFB packaging 4,230 meals and totaling 5,077 pounds. Way to go Team North
5
All Rise By Brian Tinnin
“Imagination is the highest kite that one can fly.” Bacall
“Spring is a heart full of hope and a shoe full of rain.” Unknown
Judge Andy Chatham has been the presiding Judge in the 282nd Court since 2006. He retains the same enthusiasm and idealism that he had when he took the bench seven years ago. He was formerly Judge Andy Chatham in the Dallas County Public Defender’s office, but the seeds for his ascension to the bench were sown even before that, as far back as his childhood. His father, a Presbyterian minister in Louisville, Kentucky, presided over a large congregation. The judicial system in the community in which he grew up was looked upon with great suspicion by the citizens in the area - there was a great deal of mistrust and concern that the system was unfair and biased. Judge Chatham’s father, along with a couple of other ministers in the area, began sending members of their respective congregations to court and simply sit in the courtroom and observe day to day proceedings. “Things started changing when the Judge knew that people were watching” indicated Judge Chatham. People in the community also gained a better understanding and appreciation for how the judicial system operated. This obviously made an impression on Judge Chatham as a young boy, as he has implemented his own program - referred to as Court - watch in which he encourages anyone to come to court and observe him in action. Not only that, he welcomes feedback from these same individuals, and is willing to make whatever changes are necessary if they will make his courtroom run more fairly and more efficiently. “We need to show people that we are being fair, and that people are being treated fairly” according to Judge Chatham. “My program is designed to show that we are working hard and trying to do the right thing for everybody - we are trying to get it right.” He indicates that he meets regularly with church groups in the area and encourages them to come to court and then returns to meet with them afterward to ask them what they feel can be improved upon.” He described the overall reaction to the program as “overwhelmingly positive.” 6
Anyone waiting to see the Judge in action will not have to wait long. He estimates that he takes 99% of his own pleas, even those which are agreed. The Judge likes to establish a bond with the individuals that he probates immediately, and make a pact with them. He tells everyone about to be probated the same thing, that his courtroom is always open to them, and if they should ever have any problems on probation, they should come see him and talk to him about it. He acknowledges that “everyone screws up on probation” but he indicated a desire to keep working with them as long as they take responsibility for their mistakes, indicate a willingness to move forward and offer a plan of action as to how they will achieve their goals. Judge Chatham, a football afficianado, offered a gridiron metaphor that made his philosophy clear: “If you are moving the ball and you get a penalty, you can still move the ball forward and score a touchdown.” Seeing the big picture and accepting the mistakes of his clients allow him to avoid focusing myopically on the mistake itself, but instead allows the probationer the opportunity to learn from his mistake and given him the opportunity to redeem him or herself. Judge Chatham values the feedback of others, particularly his court officers, of whom he spoke highly. Leslie Birdsall, Erin Barron, and Amanda Kent have been with him since he took the bench, and he obviously has great trust in their opinions, and spoke of the hard work and dedication that they show in the work that they do. He wants their opinions, and encourages them to speak their mind. He also wants officers in the field supervising his cases to work with the clients, and not merely act as “bean counters.” He is very encouraged by the changes that he has seen in probation clients over the past few years, and he attributes this to officers’ willingness to work with clients and focusing on getting them to report consistently and cooperate. He emphasized that his philosophy of working with clients is inspired by Judge Robert Francis and former Judge John Creuzot, who he views as trailblazers in terms of looking “big picture” with clients and trying to being about change. Judge Chatham has had many inspirational cases that he has dealt with, both before and after he became a judge, that have shaped him as a person and helped him develop his judicial philosophy. He told the story of Brenda Loftus, a woman who had been convicted of killing her abusive husband. Ms. Loftus, who by all accounts had been a productive, hardworking citizen, was about to be deported to her native Jamaica in 1994 due to her felony conviction when Judge Chatham, who was still working in the public defender’s office at the time, and who had not been representing Ms. Loftus, heard about the story and came up with the idea of having a judge grant her clemency so that the felony conviction could be erased and she would be allowed to remain in the United States. Though he gives much of the credit for this last minute effort, which came together as Ms. Loftus was about to board a departing plane out of the country, to Paige Flink of the Family Place and Judge Susan Hawk, it was he who won the Dallas Car Association’s Special Service Award for his efforts. This was one of his major inspirations to run for the bench, which he won two years later. 7
Views andVisions 2014 Publication Schedule
_____________ June 27, 2014 Article submission deadline: June 13, 2014 _____________ September 26, 2014 Article submission deadline: September 12, 2014
Judge Chatham is also on the board of the “Miles of Freedom” nonprofit organization. He related the story of Richard Miles, wrongly convicted of a crime that was later determined he was not involved in. After 15 years in prison, doubts as to Mr. Miles’ guilt began to arise. Though not formally declared innocent, Judge Chatham ordered Mr. Miles released from prison in 2009, citing problems with the prosecution of the case. Three years later, in 2012, Mr. Miles was formally declared to be innocent of the crime by Judge Chatham. He later asked the judge, who had been an advocate for him since the issue of his likely innocence arose, to be on the board of his newly-created organization, which helps transition individuals in prison back into society. The judge stated that he was “honored” that he had been asked to be a part of Mr. Miles’ organization. As if he was not busy enough already, he is also the committee chair for “K9’s for Warriors”, which is an organization that takes in rescue dogs and trains them to be service dogs for military troops and veterans. As noted earlier, Judge Chatham is a big sports fan. On a lark, many years ago, he decided to ask various sports teams if they would be willing to donate sports jerseys to him with the number ‘282’ (representing the 282nd Judicial Court) emblazoned upon them. Many team readily agreed, and today the corridor leading to his bench is adorned with the framed jerseys of both local, national, and at least in one case, European, sports teams sporting number ‘282.’ If you are ever given the private tour, you will see the jerseys from the Minnesota Vikings (Judge Chatham’s favorite team), the New York Giants, the Miami Dolphins, the Washington Redskins, and of course the Cowboys, Ranger, and Stars lining the hallway. Judge Andy Chatham has an effusive personality and possesses a passion for life and for his job, and for what he stands for. He has seen both successes from his position on the bench, which in many cases started off as individuals that on the surface initially looked lost and downtrodden, as well as the inevitable failures, which the judge lamented about, questioning if he had done everything he could for them. It is ultimately the success 8
stories that given him hope, and the belief that what he is doing is both worthwhile and effective. Judge Chatham wants his clients to succeed, and for they themselves to find their way and to make positive changes in their lives, with his role being the one to pick them up when they fall, chastise or praise them as needed, or punish if the situation warrants. He distinguishes from one another those who hurt others, and the ones who are only hurting themselves, and his approaches vary based on the category of the offender. While of course outcomes for all clients are not always positive, he makes an effort to identify the ones that are not beyond redemption and who recognize their faults and strive to overcome them as the ones that he will do whatever he can for to see that they become contributing members of society again and help them achieve something many of them have never done before and never thought they would do - complete probation successfully. Sometimes it is the little things that propel individuals to be better than they ever thought they could be. Judge Chatham believes in people and in their ability to change, and by doing this, his clients learn to believe in themselves.
Making Positive Changes at Dallas County Community Supervision By Ramie Jennings
Positive and influencing changes are happening each day at Dallas County Community Supervision and Corrections Department (Adult Probation). Let me take this time to welcome you Susana Neria, Kim Rogers to our new and highly skilled DWI Quality Assurance Team. and Carol Fowler The team consists of Supervisor Carol Fowler, Assistant Supervisor Kim Rogers and DWI Specialist Susana Neria. The team was created in June 2013 with goals in mind and a willingness to put in the dedication to make the necessary changes. Not including the Specialty Courts, there are currently 38 DWI Interlock caseloads that supervise a total of 3169 probationers. In order for a probationer to qualify for the Interlock caseload, he/she must meet all the following criteria.   
Alcohol related offense Driving included in the offense Alcohol monitoring device is a court ordered condition of probation
The most common alcohol monitoring devise is the Ignition Interlock device. The Interlock device prevents the motor vehicle from starting if the alcohol concentration meets or exceeds the startup set point. The device requires the operator of the motor vehicle to provide a breath sample before the vehicle is started and at various times while the vehicle is 9
running as part of an effort to reduce impaired driving due to the effects of alcohol. There are other types of alcohol monitoring devices such as In-Hom, Soberlink, SCRAM, and Antabuse. What has changed since the inception of the DWI QA team?
“Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the Laughing soil.” Reginald Heber
“The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.” EdwinWaye Teale
Five new DWI caseload officer positions have been created, ongoing monthly audits of DWI Interlock cases, new UA policy that includes more frequent and ETG urinalysis testing, dedicated team leaders who are trained along with the officers, identifying applicable clients for the caseload at time of court appearance and reviewed for compliance at Orientation. If the client is Found to be in non-compliance at initial report and has not obtained the alcohol monitoring device, court is notified within 3 business days. If there are reported violations of the device including alcohol consumption, lockouts, illegal starts, and skipped tests, then court is notified after investigation and within seven calendar days. Per Assistant Supervisor Kim Rogers, “In five months there has been a huge shift in supervising DWI offenders. Supervising officers made great strides in keeping up with the technology of alcohol monitoring. Officers learned about the various monitoring devices, generated systems to ensure they receive a monitoring report each month, became skilled at interpreting the complicated data on the monitoring reports, and increased responses to violations on the devices. The communication among the vendors, officers, and courts has greatly improved, and we foresee this to be an on-going three way conversation.” The future goals include: ongoing audits of case files, DWI specific training, communication with field officers, court officers, and vendors; streamline and standardize reports with alcohol monitoring vendors, continue to provide resources and support for field and court officers, provide a centralized location for DWI related documentation, and addition of Field Work officer that will interact with the family and neighbors of offenders to reduce the risk to the community by identifying non10
disclosed drinking and driving behavior. Results?? Absolutely! Since the additional caseloads have been created, the DWI Interlock caseloads have been reduced from an average of 115 per officer in June to approximately 90 in November. These changes will in turn improve community safety by holding offenders accountable and as stated in the purpose of the policy “facilitate positive change in the lives of these clients by providing boundaries for their behavior and opportunity for recovery from substance abuse and addiction.�
A Tribute to Emily Adelstein By John Sykes
Emily Adelstein, former felony court supervisor of CDC #5, passed away in January after a lengthy illness. Her funeral was attended by many current and former CSCD employees. Emily was an early employee of Dallas County Adult Probation/CSCD. She progressed throughout her long career with the department, becoming one of our first female supervisors. During her many years in Court 5, she demonstrated an effective blend of compassion and firmness. Clients and probation staff alike knew where they stood with her, as she was always honest and straightforward. Her court officers thrived under her supervision, and they adopted her example of hard work and dedication. A personal note: Emily served on my own initial hiring board. Based on her encouragement during that process, I believe she was instrumental in my being hired back in 1984. I will always be grateful for her intervention in my behalf as a prospective new officer. 30 year later, I still remember her support. We will miss you, Emily.
11
SAVE THE DATE WHAT: CCIF Community Corrections Improvement Foundation ______________ 10TH ANNIVERSAY ______________ ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
WHEN: Friday, September 26, 2014 ______________ WHERE: The Golf Club of Dallas 2200W. Redbird Ln Dallas,Texas 75232
Dr. Noyes selected as vice-char of the Texas Probation Advisory Committee (PAC) Congratulations to the Dallas County CSCD and Dr. Noyes for his selection as vice-chair of the Texas Probation Advisory Committee (PAC) for the State of Texas. The Probation Advisory Committee (PAC) is a 14-member committee comprised of CSCD Directors/Managers that are appointed by the chairman of the Judicial Advisory Council (JAC) which is established in the Texas Government Code. The Probation Advisory Committee (PAC), representing the interests of the 121 Community Supervision and Corrections Departments (CSCDs) throughout the state, formulates opinions and makes suggestions for improving local community corrections programs and services. Specifically, the PAC makes recommendations to the Judicial Advisory Council (JAC), who in turn advises the Director of the Community Justice Assistance Division and the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on issues confronting the community supervision system and of interest to the judiciary. The Community Justice Assistance Division is a division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and serves as the oversight agency which sets minimum operational standards and appropriates legislative funding to local adult probation departments. The current PAC Membership includes: Mr. Mike Wolfe, Chair, Region 7 Taylor County CSCD - Director
Mr. Paul Alamo, Region 6 Kerr County CSCD - Director
Dr. Michael E. Noyes, Vice Chair, Urban Chief Rep. Dallas County CSCD - Director
Mr. David Cherry, Region 8 Eastland County CSCD - Director
Mr. Jack Pappas, Region 1 Bowie County CSCD - Director Ms. Caroline Rickaway, Region 2 Brazoria County CSCD - Director
Raffle Drawings
Ms. Rochelle Thomas, Region 3 Caldwell County CSCD - Director Mr. Jarvis Anderson, Region 4 Bexar County CSCD - Director Mr. Arnold Patrick, Region 5 Hidalgo County CSCD - Director
12
Ms. Katherine Sadau, Region 9 Moore County CSCD - Director Ms. Terry Scott, Mid-Mgt. Rep. Parker County CSCD - Supervisor Mr. Frank Tipton, Residential Rep. Concho Valley CSCD - Residential Director Mr. Todd Jermstad, Ex-Officio Member Bell County CSCD - Director
RECIPE FILE By: Rebecca Garcia
Beefsteak Loin with Chimichurri Sauce This South American classic sauce is the secret ingrediect
Chimichurri Sauce 1 cup of fresh finely chopped parsley 1 cup of fresh cilantro, finely chopped 1 green lime or yellow lemon 1/4 cup of olive oil 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar 2 cloves of pressed garlic 1/2 teaspoon of red chile flakes 1/2 teaspoon of salt
Sauce for seasoning the Beefsteak (marinade) 2 tablespoons of olive oil 1/2 lime or lemon reserved 1 tablespoon of ground cumin 1 tablespoon of pressed garlic 1/2 teaspoon of salt
For the Chimichurri sauce, finely chop the parsley and cilantro. Cut the lime or lemon in half, squeeze one of the halves using a citrus squeezer. Reserve half of lime or lemon for the sauce. Add the olive oil, vinegar, pressed garlic, the red chile flakes and salt. Reserve 1 cup of the sauce in the large cup or bowl, cover and refrigerate until it is ready to serve. For the beefsteak, make the seasoning sauce (marinade). Add the olive oil, reserve lime or lemon juice, the cumin, garlic, salt and the reserved mixture. Place the beefsteak on a large plate. Using a chef’s knife, cut diagonal and superficial cuts on the beefsteak at least 1-inch apart, repeat in the opposite direction. Turn the beefsteak over and repeat the same type of cuts. Use half the seasoning sauce on the cuts on the meat using angled spatula. Cover with plastic wrapping or place in the zip-loc bag refrigerate 8 to 10 hours or overnight. Over medium heat, place the seasoned beefsteak on the hot grilling pan, cook for 12 to 14 minutes, turn over once. Place the beefsteak on a cutting board and allow it to rest for about 5 minutes. Cut the beefsteak diagonally into thin strips. Serve hot with the reserved Chimichurri sauce.
13
Translated in Spanish
Bistec de Lomo Chimichurri
Una clásica salsa sudamericana es el ingredient secreto para sazonar éste bistec de lomo
“I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden” Ruth Stout
“Only with winter-patience can we bring the deepdesired, long awaited Spring.” Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Salsa Chimichurri 1 taza de perejil fresco, finamente picado 2 cucharadas de venagre de vino rojo 1 taza de cilantro fresco, picado finamente 2 diente de ajo, prensados 1 limón verde o Amarillo 1/2 cucharadita de hojuelas de chile rojo 1/4 taza de aceite de olive 1/2 cucharadita de hojuelas de chile rojo 1/2 chucharadita de sal Bistec v Adobo 2 cucharadas de aceite de olive Medio limón verde reservado 1 cucharada de comino molido 1 cucharada de ajo, prensado 1/2 cucharadita de sal 1 biste de lomo (de 1 a 1/2 libras) Para salsa, pique el perejil y el clilantro finamente. Corte el limón por la mitad, exprima la mitad de limón usando el exprimidor de citricos. Reserve la otra mitad del limón para el adobo. Agregue el aceite de olive, el vinagre, el ajo presado, las hojuelas de chile rojo y la sal. Reserve 1 taza de la salsa en el tazón de preparacioón; cubra y refrigere hast que esté listo para servir. Para el bistec, haga el adobo. Agregue el aceite de olive, el jugo de la mitad de limón reservada, el comino, el ajo prenado y la sal a la salsa resevada en el tazón de mezcla. Ponga el bistec sobre un platón grande. Con un cuchillo de chef, haga cortes diagonals y superficiales sobre el bistec a 1 pulgada de saparados; repita en la dirección opuesta. Voltee el bistec y repita los cortes. Unte la mitad del adobo sobre los cortes de carne usando un spatula angulada. Cubra con envoltura de plástico; refrigere de 8 a 10 horas o por toda la noche. 14
AWARDS CEREMONY Supervisor of the Year The Outstanding Supervisor winner for 2013 is a very special person whose finest quality is that she genuinely cares for and about people. When this person sees people (including clients) in need, she does something about it. Once when an officer told her about a clients’ house burning down, the next day she had found someone the same size as the client and got her 5 boxes of clothes. When she heard of a woman (who she did not know), whose son was in a major car accident, she gave money anonymously to the single mom to purchase meals while she sat in the hospital around the clock. In 2012, she worked as a liaison between the Grace Place apartments and probation. She advocated for our clients and convinced the property manager to allow them to stay in the apartments for a few months, rent free, after they completed treatment and until they got back on their feet. She has had Thanksgiving dinners at her house for poor people who had nowhere to go on Thanksgiving and no way to pay for a Thanksgiving meal. She conducted bible studies for inmates at the Dawson State jail. While working at the Restitution Center, she saw that the men needed a way to release their anger and their energy from being cooped up, so she got them a punching bag. No matter what she is doing, if you ask her to help, she will stop what she is doing and help you out. This person is an exercise fanatic. She works out at least four times a week. Even when her two sons were little, she would put them in the middle of the school track and watch them while she ran laps. She was a cheer leader in high school. She does not believe the phrase “it cannot be done” because her belief is anything can be done. She loves dogs, owning up to five poodles at one time. She is currently devoted to her poo dle Beau (Bo). She was born in Wichita Falls, Texas and has two wonderful daughter-in-laws. She love being with family, working outside in her yard and having dinner parties for friends. From a business perspective, this person has over 30 years of experience in various units 15
Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Appreciation Week ___________ Appreciation Week will be honored the week of July 13 - 19, 2014
___________
___________ A week of celebration and recognition More details to come!
___________ This years theme is “Be the Change”
within our department. Because of her vast knowledge and knowledge and experience, she is commonly asked to assist when new projects and programs are being brainstormed or implemented. Her input is significant and beneficial because she adds crucial insight that may be otherwise overlooked. She assists managers, supervisors and officers with methodology to improve productivity and efficiency in the workplace. She is a highly respected member of our department. She is a gifted mentor to new officers and the people that work with her. She is like the energizer bunny-she never stops trying to help where needed; whether it is within our department or within the community. This person supervises the quality assurance unit that is constantly changing, based on the critical needs of the department. We are proud and honored to present this year’s Outstanding Supervisor Award to Carol Fowler. Supervisor of the Year The Outstanding Assistant Supervisor of the year for 2013 was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She is a 1993 graduate of Skyline High School. In 2001 she obtained her Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Texas in Arlington. She is a mother of two Aleyah, and Jayden. She believes in putting her family first. She is affectionately known as MISSY. She is an active member of the Crossing Church in Grand Prairie, Texas. When she is not working she can be found at one of her son’s football, soccer, or basketball games. In her 12 years with the Dallas County CSCD she has worked in court, and special programs. She was promoted three years ago to an Asst. Supervisor. She is currently assigned to the Specialty Court unit and Supervises the 16
STAC court, and PRIDE court. Her ability to stay calm in a storm is one of her strongest assets. The Asst. Supervisor of the year goes to Meslissa Sellers. Officer of theYear Brian Tinnin was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, where he graduated from Skyline High in 1986 and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Aus tin College. He began with Dallas CSCD in 1994, as an officer at the Day Reporting Center working with the young er offenders hoping to make a difference in their lives. He then spent some time as a casework officer at the North office before being a court officer for the Honorable Judge Creuzot in CDC 4. In 2008 when the Assessment Center was stated, he transitioned to that unit and is currently the sole officer for the same day pleas. He is a LSIR trainer and a member of the ORAS pilot team. He is known for his hard work, diligence, lengthy but thorough narratives and never taking a short cut on his work duties. He spends time with each and every client and is always accommodating when the clients show up at different times than their scheduled time even if it means him working late. This officer is pleasant with supervisory staff and his coworkers. He never says no to any job asked of him. He spends countless hours working on each narrative that gives a detailed look at the offender’s lives to assist the supervising officer. Anyone that has read any of his work will attest to his thoroughness for detail. He truly tries to assess the client’s needs and how supervision can assist the client. This officer is usually the first officer in the office and the last officer to leave each day. He is always willing to assist his co-workers even when he has plenty of his own to complete. This officer demonstrates professionalism and respect when dealing with the clients. He is definitely an asset to Dallas County CSD and he upholds the mission of our department by attempting to facilitate positive change in each client by determining the needs of each client. This officer has been married since 2005 to Martha Hurtado Tinnin and they have 6 year old twins, Jackson and Sophia, in Addition to 2 cats, Rusy and Ozzy. The Office of the year is Brain Tinnin.
17
Officer of theYear
The air is cool, the breeze is light. The clouds in the sky are fluffy and white. The flowers open to show their bright faces, as the garden snail alongside paces. The trees unfold their bright green leaves. The spider a silken web she weaves. The birds sing their notes high and clear. Cheer up! Cheer up! Spring is here!
The 2013 Officer of the year grew up in New York before moving to Texas in her mid-20’s where she met and married a good old boy from Wichita Falls, Texas. She began working for the CSCD in 1985, in the trenches at RLT, then in court for 15 years and now in a satellite unit with a grant caseload. This remarkable woman supervises deeply dysfunctional mentally ill clients with apparent ease and expertise. She created a “Success Wall” in her office for honoring clients who succeed at staying clean, completing groups or getting a job. She has personally sent clients encouragement or congratulation cards to their home. She walked one woman and her son from the office to an NA meeting. Her colleagues are thankful when she diffused volatile situations in the office. She is appreciated for covering caseloads and volunteering to take on extra duty. She is frequently seen sweeping the parking lot, picking up trash and used diapers...or taking a report if the client is too anxious to enter the building. The spices of her life are two daughters, one a sophomore at UT and the other graduating from Texas A&M this December. She prefers to spend most of her time working in her flower garden, AND trying to change her husband. In spite of that, they enjoy working side by side on home projects and entertaining friends and family. The 2013 Officer of year goes to: Susan McLaughlin.
Teresa Underwood
18
Technician of the Year This year’s recipient for Technician of the year award was born and raised in Dallas. Ms. X as we will refer to her, is a graduate of Skyline High School. Following high school, she attended college and studied legal and business topics. She began her career with Dallas County CSCD as a clerk in 2006. Her first job was receptionist with a department t h a t specialized in substance abuse and mental health assessment and treatment. So as not to be confused with other similar CSCD departments, this initial position was in the Comprehensive Assessment and Treatment Services-CATS. Not only was this her first position with CSCD, it was also her first venture into the work world-her first full-time job. Despite her youth and inexperience, she quickly convinced her co-workers –and supervisors-that she was a force to be reckoned with. She demonstrated strong skills in interacting with a challenging clientele while also inflicting her own brand and style of organization on a process that too easily could become a human train wreck. In fact, many of her ideas for how to manage the CATS reception desk and related activities are still being used. Ms. X then developed interest in the other activities in the department and worked for a time in the Research Department. However, she soon found her way back to CATS when she was promoted to mental health screener. In this capacity, she assisted in refining the techniques and tools used to ensure that serious substance abuse and mental health issues do not get overlooked. In addition to her full-time responsibilities associated with this position, she also took on numerous other previously undefined jobs. One of her major accomplishments during that time was coordinating the implementation of video-conferencing in CATS for screening and assessment. Her efforts contributed greatly to the spread of this valuable technology throughout CSCD. Another major ancillary responsibility that she assumed was the coordination of community residential treatment. She quickly developed proficiency in working collaboratively with CATS assessment and counseling staff, CSO’s, the courts, and vendors. Her management of limited funding by determining eligibility and subsequently authorizing and refer ing clients to community residential treatment, continues to ensure that the greatest number of clients possible receive treatment as recommended. 19
Awards Ceremonies 2014
This award recipient’s willingness and desire to assist others, both co-workers and clients, has driven her to take on bigger and broader roles. She currently works as Lead Technician in the CATS Department where her primary responsibility is to maintain the smooth functioning of the Intake Department’s pre -assessment screening operations. The winner for the 2013 Technician of the year award is Xiomara Ruiz. Clerk of the Year
_____________
March 7, 2014 September 5, 2014 December 5, 2014 _____________
Central Jury Room 133 N. Riverfront Blvd., 2nd Floor Dallas,Texas 75207 _____________ 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
This outstanding Staff/Clerk winner for the year 2013 was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Her commitment to CSCD is only second to her family; which consists of her mother, father, and three sisters. She loves her family and enjoys spending time with her mom. She’s the youngest of her three sisters’ and is the protector of them all. She has been know for giving her sisters prospective boyfriends the “once over.” She attended and graduated from Grand Prairie High School. At a very young age she became a cheerleader and still knows a few cheers. She wants to someday parachute out of a plane for the thrill of it. This outstanding clerk was hired May 19, 2011 and immediately exhibited professional traits and work ethics. She continues to seek and implement new methods and procedures to significantly improve efficiency and productivity. She’s an essential part of Quality Control and the thoroughness of her work surpasses expectations. She has excellent rapport with her peers, court staff, and supervisors. She treats everyone with respect and has a positive effect on individuals she encounters. She’s reliable, very organized, and a hard worker. This outstanding staff/clerk for the year of 2013 is well deserving of this outstanding achievement. Congratulations Lisa Anderson. 20
5Years of Service There were thirteen recipients recognized for five years of service: Adiam Abraham Maria Davila Lisa Kinsey-Johnson Robbie Merrett
Gloria Agustin
Bridgette Hamilton
Gloria Agustin Theron Gregory Lois Lifto Keona Ugwuh
Erika Camacho Bridgette Hamilton Denise McCummings SusanWebster
Erika Camacho
Maria Davila
Lois Lifto
Denise McCummings
21
Upcoming 2014 Holidays
__________ Wednesday April 23
15Years of Service There were four recipients recognized for fifteen years of service: Laura Alkhaz Christina Capps Brad Marshall MaricelaValdespino
_____________ Sunday May 11
Mother ’s Day
__________ Monday May 26
Christina Capps
Maricela Valdespino
20Years of Service There were four recipients recognized for tewnty years of service: Belinda Allen Jessie Jimenez
Dale House Ronnie Lyles
___________ Sunday June 15
Belinda Allen
22
Dale House
25Years of Service There was one recipient recognized for twenty-five years of service: David McClure
David McClure
Shield Recipients There were 13 officers who received their CSCD Shield: CSCD Shield Recipients
CSCD Shield Recipients
Kristina Carrizlaes
Amy McConnell
Shannon Epperson
Tommy Moffitt
Adan Flores
Deirdre Smith
Melissa Hastings
Valeria Utley
Theresa Howard
ChristopherWilliams
Dulce Jeronimo
Stacy Zajac
Marshay Love
23
Views and Visions Editorial Policy All articles and pictures submitted for publication in The Views and Visions are subject to acceptance and editing. If an article received significant edits, changes, additions, or deletions it will be returned to the writer for review before publication.
Kristina Carrizales
Shannon Epperson
Good quality photos focusing upon the subject of the article may be submitted. All people in the photos must be identified,. All non-employees in pictures and in articles must have a signed Publications - Consent for Release of Information on file. A copy can be obtained from Kristy Estrada.
Adan Flores
Melissa Hastings
Articles submitted for The Views and Visions may be reproduced in other publications. _________________ Views and Visions Staff: Dr. Michael Noyes, Director Kristy Estrada, Editor Tammie Artesi, Prodution Manager Rebecca Garcia andBrian Tinnin _________________ Contributors
Theresa Howard
Ramie Jennings John Sykes
24
Dulce Jeronimo
Marshay Love
Amy McConnell
Tommy Moffitt
Deirdre Smith
Valeria Utley
Christopher Williams
Stacy Zajac
25