Doctor honored by court officials

Dr. Jessica Parks, State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) Trial Court Services Deputy Director, was presented with the Judge William G. Schma award during the Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals (MATCP) conference earlier this week. The award recognizes Dr. Parks' work at SCAO, managing the Michigan Supreme Court's efforts to assure that drug, sobriety, mental health and veterans treatment courts are implementing best practices and achieving substantially improved outcomes for participants. SCAO is the administrative arm of the Court. "This honor symbolizes the kind of transformation we are working on at the State Court Administrative Office to make this organization the one that judges and administrators turn to for expert guidance," said Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young, Jr. "When problem-solving courts are successful, lives are changed for the better and communities are strengthened," said Michigan Supreme Court Justice Mary Beth Kelly. Judge William G. Schma was the founder and was the first MATCP President. The Schma Award is the association's "Hall of Fame" award and is presented to persons who have made outstanding contributions to problem-solving courts in Michigan. The award is not given annually and in the association's eighteen year history, only six persons have received the Schma Award. Moreover, it is extremely unusual for the award to be given to a nonjudge. Eaton County Judge Harvey Hoffman, who presented the award to Parks, said, "The entire board of directors of the MATCP recognizes the many and varied contributions that Dr. Jessica Parks has made to problem-solving courts in Michigan. Her intelligence and commitment are truly special. She has helped Michigan to become a national leader in DWI Courts and veterans courts specifically and problem-solving Courts generally. She is a good person doing good works, helping thousands of our most troubled and troubling citizens build better lives for themselves and their families." Published: Tue, Mar 31, 2015