2010 Drug, DUI and Mental Health Court Conference

Session Descriptions 10
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Breakout Session 2 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM (Continued)
Data Collection and Program Advocacy
Dr. Kevin Baldwin, Applied Research Services
This workshop is designed to help problem solving court practitioners identify, collect, manage, and report data to
document their court activities, track key outcomes and indicators, and report data to both sustain and advocate
for their work.
Handling a Diverse Mental Health Court Population/Treatment Planning
Mr. Eric Spencer, National Alliance on Mental Illness
This workshop will focus on two of the essential elements of a mental health court:
1. Target population - The first portion of this workshop will discuss the elements of selecting and working with
the target population that takes into consideration a broad array of disabling conditions including addiction and
participant diversity.
2. Treatment support and services - The second half of this workshop will discuss the process of treatment planning
that takes into account the results of a complete mental health and substance abuse assessment, individual
consumer needs, and public safety concerns. Participants must also have input into their treatment plans. Treatment
providers should remain in regular communication with court staff concerning the appropriateness of the
treatment plan and should suggest adjustments to the plan when appropriate.
Inside the Adolescent Brain
Mr. Guy A. Wheeler, Guy A. Wheeler Group, P.A.
Over the past few years, strong research has emerged that documents the enormous changes to the brain in the
developing years between childhood and adulthood. This workshop will provide insight to adolescent brain development;
effects of trauma, behavior, environmental factors, and discuss questions such as why adolescents use alcohol
and other drugs.
Community Policing and Public Health
Deputy Christopher Worth, Cobb County Sheriff’s Department
This training will discuss some threats to the officer’s and the public’s health that the officer needs to be aware of.
We will discuss some dangers the officer may encounter including, but not limited to, methamphetamine labs and
chemicals, unsafe houses, and diseases that the officer may be likely to come in contact with. We will also discuss
some of the safety issues to the general public such as child abuse and neglect and other health issues that can affect
the public that may be associated with accountability court participants.
Conversation with the Georgia Department of Labor
Commissioner Michael Thurmond, Georgia Department of Labor
This session will provide insight to Georgia’s job availability and how accountability courts can partner with their
local Department of Labor office in assisting drug court participants with creating resumes, job applications and
further education opportunities.