Drug Recognition Conference

Good Afternoon,

I hope this note finds you well.

We in the Special Programs Division of the Correctional Management Institute of Texas (CMIT) at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) are very pleased to announce our annual DRUG RECOGNITION CONFERENCE.

DATES:
Monday, January 25 - 3:00pm-5:00pm - Early Sign-in/Registration
Tuesday, January 26 - 7:00-8:00am - Sign-in/Registration; 8:00am-5:00pm - program
Wednesday, January 27 - 8:00am-5:00pm - program
Thursday, January 28 - 8:00am-12:00 noon - program. Adjourn - 12:00 noon

LOCATION: Omni Austin Hotel at Southpark, 4140 Governor's Row, Austin, TX 78744

PROGRAM:
DAWN MATHIS, DEA - For those of you attending our program over the past several years, you know that Dawn has always been a strong opening speaker. Evaluations from last year's program have overwhelmingly requested that we bring Dawn back for this conference. She will be covering a wide range of drugs and drug issues, bringing the vast experience of the DEA to her presentation.

CYNTHIA JASSO ARREDONDO, Texas School Safety Center - For those of you at last year's program, you know that our newest speaker was HUGELY popular and brought an incredibly energetic and dynamic presentation to the conference. Most fascinating, Cynthia took us behind the scenes, unlocking the secrets of where and how people hide their illegal drugs. This invaluable information astounded some of the most experienced criminal justice practitioners and school administrators. As these methods are changing on a daily basis, it's important to stay on top of the situation, which is exactly what Cynthia does.

DIANE BLANCHARD - Last year we had the great pleasure to meet Diane, who was attending a different conference in the same hotel. We told her that we were hosting a drug recognition conference and she told us the heart-wrenching story of her son's overdose. Diane was gracious and strong enough to come into the conference and share her experience with our group. Her moving presentation touched everyone in the room. Diane has agreed to be on the program this year to talk about her situation and others that she has come to know, the warning signs, the emotions, and the impact as her world collapsed around her.

ROSEANNA RUIZ, Positive Changes, LLC - We are pleased to have Rosey with us for the first time to share her experiences on both sides of the criminal justice fence. After going through community programs and institutional facilities, Rosey found the support and strength needed to turn her life around. She has gone on to establish the Re-entry Program at the City of Houston Mayor's Office and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer of the Year Award in 2006.

JOHN GRAHAM, Del Mar College - Many of you know that John Graham is one of a kind. He has vast knowledge and experience in a variety of criminal justice roles. After his presentation at our Drug Recognition Conference last year, your comments on the evaluations said, "Bring him back!" John will be presenting on officer safety, particularly in the midst of search and seizure responsibilities. He will outline what to look for at a client's residence, physical signs and symptoms of being under the influence, and more. He will also present on a variety of drugs, providing information on how they look, their physical effects, etc.

We're looking forward to a great program.

CREDIT HOURS: The program carries 20 credit hours, including LCDC credit.

PAYMENT: As always, payment for this program ($235.00) can be made in advance by check made payable to Sam Houston State University or credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express), at the conference site, or after the program.

DISCOUNTS: As always, for each 3 employees a single agency sends to the program, a 4th may attend for free. If you are interested in sending 10 or more people, please contact me regarding additional discounts.

REGISTRATION: Please visit our website for registration, brochure, and agenda: http://www.cmitonline.org/cal/

EACH PARTICIPANT WHO ATTENDS THE PROGRAM WILL RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF THE INCREDIBLE, FULL-COLOR BOOK, "STREET DRUGS: A DRUG IDENTIFICATION GUIDE, 2009".

REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO RECEIVE THE DISCOUNTED HOTEL DAILY RATE OF $99.00. HOTEL SPACE WILL FILL UP QUICKLY.

We look forward to seeing you in Austin.

Regards,

Joe Serio
Project Manager
Correctional Management Institute of Texas
Sam Houston State University
P.O. Box 2296
Huntsville, TX 77341-2296
Tel. 936-294-1705
Fax. 936-294-1671

Senior Level Leadership Development Program

The Correctional Management Institute of Texas is pleased to offer a week-long Senior Level Leadership Program for criminal justice professionals at the George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center in Huntsville, Texas. The purpose of the program is to equip selected participants with the necessary correctional knowledge from an academic research standpoint and with the necessary leadership skills from a practitioner perspective that are required for Senior Level Leaders.

This training will target deputy directors within adult and juvenile community corrections, assistant wardens/wardens, assistant jail administrators/jail administrators, and assistant superintendents/superintendents within adult and juvenile institutions.

The Institute is now accepting nominations for its inaugural program scheduled for February 7-12, 2010. Please see training listings for detailed information.


This program is limited to 20 participants.

http://www.cmitonline.org/cal/?mode=view&item=400

October Mid-Management Class Picture

Were you part of the October 4 - 9, 2009 Mid-Management Class? If so, you're picture is now available!

In an effort to assist agencies in succession planning and to prepare personnel in supervisory and mid-management positions for greater responsibility, the Correctional Management Institute of Texas offers a week-long Mid-Management Leadership Program, five times a year, for criminal justice professionals at the George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center.Classes consist of employees selected, by nomination only, from adult and juvenile probation departments, the Texas Youth Commission, divisions of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Texas Sheriff's Departments.

Agency directors may nominate, as program candidates, employees in a supervisory position with potential for promotion or who possess the potential to be promoted into a supervisory position. For more information, visit: http://www.cmitonline.org/divisions/mid.php

Resource Training Officers of the Year & Other Awards

During this week's 40th Annual Chief Probation Officers conference, a number of individuals were recognized for their assistance to the field and the Texas Probation Training Academy.

Among those honored were:

• Adult RTO of the Year - Stephanie Christopher from Brazos County CSCD
• Juvenile Probation RTO of the Year - Stephanie Mitchell Crimiel from Bexar County Juvenile Probation
• Juvenile Detention RTO of the Year - Terrance Stanton from Bexar County Juvenile Probation

In addition to the above awards, Fred Rangel awarded a service award to Gracie Alanis from Cameron/Willacy County CSCD.

A posthumous award for service was also awarded to Pamela Padgett formerly of Bexar County CSCD. Pamela served as an RTO for many years and was an inspiration to the whole team. Jason Krampitz is show below accepting the award for Pamela from Fred Rangel.

Lubbock County Commissioners Court Approves NJLCA Resolution

Monday, September 14, 2009, the Lubbock County Commissioners Court approved a resolution recognizing Lubbock County Sheriff's Deputies for their participation in the inaugural class of the National Jail Leadership Command Academy.

The Academy is a collaborative effort of the American Jail Association and the Correctional Management Institute of Texas with support from the National Assiociation of Counties and the National Institute of Corrections. The resolution also was an endorsement of the Academy by the Court.

Pictured from left to right. Back row: Commissioner Bill McCay, Commissioner Mark Heinrich, County Judge Tom Head, Commissioner Gilbert A. Flores, and Commissioner Patti Jones Front row: Major Cody Scott Graduate, Major Danny Downes Jail Administrator, Captain Kim Howell, and Lieutenant Ryan Beam Graduates

July Mid Management Class Picture

Were you part of the June 12 - 17, 2009 Mid-Management Class? If so, you're picture is now available!

In an effort to assist agencies in succession planning and to prepare personnel in supervisory and mid-management positions for greater responsibility, the Correctional Management Institute of Texas offers a week-long Mid-Management Leadership Program, five times a year, for criminal justice professionals at the George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center.Classes consist of employees selected, by nomination only, from adult and juvenile probation departments, the Texas Youth Commission, divisions of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Texas Sheriff's Departments.

Agency directors may nominate, as program candidates, employees in a supervisory position with potential for promotion or who possess the potential to be promoted into a supervisory position. For more information, visit: http://www.cmitonline.org/divisions/mid.php

Juvenile Detention Resource Training Officers Needed

The Texas Probation Training Academy at Sam Houston State University in conjunction with the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission is looking for interested persons with work experience in the field of Juvenile Detention to become Resource Training Officers (RTOs).

The RTO team meets annually to discuss, evaluate and modify the Juvenile Detention Basic Training curriculum that is used throughout the state of Texas. Basic Training is offered to new JDOs (1 day to 1 year) and includes the topics mandated by TJPC. Members from the RTO team will also be expected to assist with at least one week-long training per year.

Requirements to become a Juvenile Detention RTO are (1) a recommendation letter from the chief, (2) the ability to miss at most two weeks of work per year (one week of curriculum planning and one week of training), and (3) the ability to complete a Training for Staff Trainers course within the year if not already completed.

For more information, or if you are interested in becoming an RTO, please contact me as soon as possible.