POLICY LUNCH:
INNOVATIVE
JUVENILE
SPECIALTY COURTS
Dallas County Juvenile
Mental Health Court
Judge Robert Herrera
Associate Judge
304th District Court
QUESTIONS?
Dallas County
ESTEEM Court
Judge Cheryl Shannon
District Judge
305th District Court
E.S.T.E.E.M. Court
Experiencing Success Through Empowerment,
Encouragement and Mentoring
Judge Cheryl Lee Shannon
Mission Statement
To provide positive experiences for referred
female youth that will foster success and
empowerment and thereby prevent further
involvement in the legal system.
TARGET POPULATION
High Risk Victims (HRV) who have
committed CINS offense or have had
misdemeanor charges deferred by the
District Attorney and have one of the
following criteria:
- At least 4 runaways in 12 month period,
or at least one residential stay at Letot;
- A victim of child exploitation
GOALS
-Facilitate successful completion by providing
continuity of Judge, Probation Officer and service
provider.
- Address the needs of the target population by
providing wraparound services.
- Utilize available community-based resources
and Department services as needed.
- Increase family involvement by providing
services for the family as well as the child.
Goals con’t
- Provide and exit plan for success after diversion
- Decrease further entry into the juvenile system,
reducing Department expenses, and improving
outcomes for the families.
IMPLEMENTATION
- Conduct an Intake Staffing with the family to
explain the program (determine if admission
criteria is met and their willingness to participate)
- Administer Assessment to determine the needs of
the child and family.
- Develop and implement a clear and concise case
plan
- Provide referrals to the family that meet the
identified needs
Implementation con’t
- Girls group session after Court to debrief,
promote comraderie and build positive
relationships.
- Parent Group session after Court to debrief,
provide group support and introduce new
parenting strategies.
- Treatment Group, HOPE, specifically designed
for this population by Letot’s clinical staff
Implementation con’t
- Provide the family with a directory of
community services for their personal use.
- Assign girls 15 hours of CSR
Court Process
- Court meets weekly
- Court Team staffs cases weekly
- Judge gives overview of the program to
child and family
- Review Hearings
- Groups following Court
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
AIM Truancy
The Pathway to Success
-
Level 1 – Sapphire
- Level 2 – Emerald
-
Level 3 – Ruby
- Level 4 - Diamond
OUR SUCCESSES
Graduates
QUESTIONS?
CONTACT
INFORMATION
JAIME HANKS MEYERS
North Texas Managing Director
jmeyers@childrenatrisk.org
SUMA ANANTHASWAMY
North Texas Staff Attorney
sananthaswamy@childrenatrisk.org
3625 N. Hall Street, Suite 760, Dallas, Texas 75219
www.childrenatrisk.org