| Tuesday, Feb. 2 |
| 8-9 a.m. |
Log on to Accelevents platform
Log on early to address technical difficulties. This is also an opportunity to view sponsor videos. |
| 9 a.m.-4:50 p.m. |
GENERAL SESSION
Accelevents |
| 9-9:15 a.m. |
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Hon. Stacey Kemp, Collin County Clerk, CDCAT President |
| 9:15-10:15 a.m. |
Media Relations 2021: Telling Your Story Through the News Media
Ms. Leslie Rhode, Communications Consultant, Leslie Rhode Stories
You have a story to tell as a clerk or county employee, and your duties and decisions in public service can affect people’s lives on a daily basis. Sharing that story through the news media helps you stay connected to those in your community. Communication consultant and former television news anchor Leslie Rhode offers practical tips for building relationships with news reporters, responding to a reporter who calls or shows up at your office and preparing for an interview. |
| 10:15-10:30 a.m. |
Break: Log in to next session
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| 10:30 a.m.-noon |
Escheating Funds
Ms. Veronica Mendoza, Accounts Examiner, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
In this session, we will discuss the process of escheating funds to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. |
| Noon-1:15 p.m. |
Lunch on your own |
| 1:15-2:15 p.m. |
Adobe Tools: Tips and Tricks
Ms. Isabel Garcia, Founder and Owner, Double Click Trainers
Adobe Acrobat is a family of application software and web services to view, create, manipulate, print and manage files in the Portable Document Format, otherwise known as PDF. The main function of Acrobat is to create and view PDFs, but also to import popular document and image formats in order to save them as a PDF. Acrobat tools allows the user to modify the PDF in order to crop, change order, manipulate hyperlinks, digitally sign, add comments and redact. This session will provide a general overview of these and other tools, along with tips and tricks for using Adobe Acrobat. |
| 2:15-2:25 p.m. |
Break: Log in to next session
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| 2:25-3:25 p.m. |
E-file: Review and Updates
Mr. Evan Acosta, Senior Manager, Client Success, Tyler Technologies
Mr. Terry Derrick, General Manager, eSolutions, Tyler Technologies
Ms. Tracy Hopper, Information Technology Administrator, Harris County
Hon. Melisa Miller, Montgomery County District Clerk
This session will review the latest technology standards and updates from the Judicial Committee on Information Technology (JCIT), as well as provide a demo of eFileTexas showing everyone how to accept a filing, the correct way to return it for service, the reasons you can return it for service, etc. |
| 3:25-3:35 p.m. |
Break: Log in to next session
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| 3:35-4:50 p.m. |
Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) and National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) — Reporting for Mental Assessments
Mr. Craig Lopez, CJIS Auditor III, Texas Department of Public Safety
The presentation will include an overview of CJIS, the CJIS site, reporting tips, NICS reporting and CJIS conference information. |
| Wednesday, Feb. 3 |
| 8-9 a.m. |
Log on to Accelevents platform
Log on early to address technical difficulties. This is also an opportunity to view sponsor videos. |
| 9-10:00 a.m. |
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
BREAKOUT 1: COUNTY CLERKS
Archive Plan for County Clerks
Hon. Jennifer Lindenzweig, Hunt County Clerk
This is an open session to discuss the county clerk’s records management and archives, including a review of statutes and attorney general opinions. |
| 10-10:15 a.m. |
Break: Log in to next session
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| 10:15-11:15 a.m. |
Cattle Brands
Mr. Scott Williamson, Executive Director, Law Enforcement, Brand and Inspection Services, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA)
Mr. Bryan Yates, Senior Software Systems Analyst, Collin County
Join us for a discussion about updates for the 2021 brand registration and the proposed new electronic brand registration program. Presenters will demonstrate and discuss the marks and brands aapplication that Collin County IT is developing, which will be provided by the TSCRA to all counties. |
| 11:15-11:25 a.m. |
Break: Log in to next session
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| 9-10 a.m. |
BREAKOUT 2: DISTRICT CLERKS
Archive Plan for District Clerks
Hon. Patti L. Henry, Chambers County District Clerk
This is an open session to discuss the district clerk’s records management and archives, including a review of statutes and attorney general opinions. |
| 10-10:15 a.m. |
Break: Log in to next session
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| 10:15-11:15 a.m. |
Cash Bonds and Registry
Hon. Sharena Gilliland, Parker County District Clerk
An overview of different registry deposits and a clerk’s duties. |
| 11:15-11:25 a.m. |
Break: Log in to next session
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| 11:25 a.m.-12:25 p.m. |
GENERAL SESSION
Juvenile Law: An Overview
Ms. Maggie Ellis, NACC Child Welfare Specialist, TBLS Board Certified-Juvenile Law, Travis County Juvenile Probation Department
Juvenile justice laws in Texas are a unique blend, or hybrid, of civil and criminal laws. Juveniles benefit from heightened criminal-law protections the U.S .Constitution, statutes and case law afford them. At the same time, juvenile cases are viewed through a best interest civil standard that allows professionals in the judicial system flexibility in determining appropriate outcomes based on the individual needs and circumstances of each child. This session provides an overview of juvenile law and how it is applied on an individual level. |
| 12:25-1:30 p.m. |
Lunch on your own |
| 1:30-2:45 p.m. |
CDCAT Trivia Game
Moderator: Mr. Sam Burke, Education Project Coordinator, Texas Association of Counties
Don’t miss out on this fun trivia session! Do you Kahoot!? Kahoot! is an interactive quiz game, so bring your A-game and compete against your fellow clerks from across the state. In addition to bragging rights, the top five winners will receive cool prizes. More information will be sent out closer to conference time so make sure you download the free application to your phone, computer or other device and help us make learning fun. |
| 2:45-3 p.m. |
Break: Log in to next session
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| 3-4 p.m. |
Jury/Court Proceedings: Virtual/In Person
Mr. David Slayton, Administrative Director, Office of Court Administration |
| 4-5 p.m. |
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS (VIA WORKSHOPS IN ACCELEVENTS)
Roundtable discussions will be conducted through Workshops in Accelevents. These workshops will not be recorded.
County Clerks Roundtable:
Hon. Julie Smith, Potter County Clerk
Hon. Teresa Kiel, Guadalupe County Clerk
Hon. Beth Rothermel, Washington County Clerk
District Clerks:
Hon. Laura Hinojosa, Hidalgo County District Clerk
Hon. Anthony Monico, Tom Green County District Clerk
Hon. Clarissa Webster, Ector County District Clerk
Combination Clerks:
Hon. Melissa Mead, Hartley County Combination Clerk
Hon. Bena Hester, Briscoe County Combination Clerk |
| Thursday, Feb. 4 |
| 8-8:30 a.m. |
Log on to Accelevents platform
Log on early to address technical difficulties. This is also an opportunity to view sponsor videos. |
| 8:30 a.m.-4:40 p.m. |
GENERAL SESSION |
| 8:30-9:45 a.m. |
Uphill Both Ways: Values, Beliefs, Behaviors and Motivation Between Boomers, Xers and Echoes in the Workplace
Mr. J. Mark Warren, Training Consultant, Texas Association of Counties (TAC)
Since the inception of this presentation years ago, the movement apart between the generations at work has grown and deepened. Led by technology and communication, Gen Xers are steadily moving up in the corporate strata as the older boomers retire. While they are steadily becoming leaders, there is another group behind them who are the genetic offspring and a demographic echo of the baby boomers. Generation Y, millennials or the “echo boomers” are the largest generation of young people coming of age since the 1960s, and they are such a significant force that everything is changing in a way to appeal to them — from advertising to entertainment. The result of all these generations working together presents a challenge every bit as great and significant to the future as staying ahead of the competition in the marketplace.
This presentation is designed to spotlight each group’s uniqueness, their similarities and differences, and attempts to reveal what each needs to co-exist, work and support the others. Remember, in life as well as the workplace, the older we get, the less like “us” they become. |
| 9:45-10 a.m. |
Break: Log in to next session
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| 10-10:45 a.m. |
HR: Virtual Impact on your County
Ms. Michele Arseneau, Senior Human Resources Consultant, TAC
The pandemic has forced us to find new ways to work. Working from home has become an option for some, but what impact does this have on being compliant with all of the federal and state employment laws? What policies do we need and what are some best practices? Join this session to learn about the effects that this has on counties. |
| 10:45-11 a.m. |
Break: Log in to next session
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| 11 a.m.-noon |
Monica's Law and the OCA Protective Order Registry
Ms. Kimberly A.F. Piechowiak, Domestic Violence Resource Attorney, Office of Court Administration
It is often said that a protective order is just a “piece of paper.” However, detailed information that such a document even exists is the key that starts the engine of enforcement, protection, safety, and accountability.
In 2015, Monica Deming of Odessa, Texas, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. The young mother had no idea that the perpetrator had been the subject of two prior protective orders, only that his violent behavior toward her and her son was escalating. By the time she had begun taking steps to protect herself, it was too late. “Monica’s Law” was passed during the 86th legislative session to provide justice system stakeholders with access to valuable information regarding both applications and issued protective orders, along with very limited public access with the explicit consent of the protected parties. This session will highlight how extended knowledge of protective orders can enhance investigation, prosecution, and accountability for crimes involving family violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking, indecent assault, and bias or prejudice, while also enhancing safety for survivors, their families, law enforcement, and the community at large.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- List the different types of protective orders required to be entered into the Protective Order Registry
- Discuss the various levels of user access to the Registry
- Describe how the Office of Court Administration’s newly-created Protective Order Registry can assist criminal justice personnel, regardless of role, to prevent the escalation of violence; conduct more thorough investigations; pursue successful prosecutions; provide more effective safety planning for survivors and their families; and hold more offenders accountable for their crimes.
|
| Noon-1:15 p.m. |
Lunch on your own |
| 1:15-2:15 p.m. |
A Statement of Inability to Pay Court Costs Has Been Filed, Now What?
Mr. Pablo Javier Almaguer, Attorney, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA)
Ms. Mary Christine Reed, Director, TRLA
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145 Payment of Costs Not Required was completely rewritten by the Texas Supreme Court in 2016. This session will provide an overview of the new rule, including the important changes that affect district and county clerks’ procedures. It will also provide an overview of the process to contest a Statement of Inability to Pay Costs and who can file a contest, will cover what information is required in a statement, will explore who is eligible to file a statement and will address common questions. |
| 2:15-2:30 p.m. |
Break: Log in to next session
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| 2:30-3:30 p.m. |
Eminent Domain and Condemnation in Texas
Hon. Linda Holman, Colorado County District Clerk
Ms. Shae Keefe, Attorney, Winstead PC
The presentation will focus on the condemnation process in Texas as outlined in Texas Property Code Chapter 21-Eminent Domain. We will discuss the specifics of a condemnation action, including both the administrative phase and the subsequent litigation phase, and focus on the role of the county and district clerks. The presentation will address the bona fide offer process, the filing of condemnation petitions, the appointment of special commissioners, their hearings and the procedure for perfecting possession after the special commissioners' award, as well as the potential subsequent litigation phase. The presentation will outline the proper venue for condemnation proceedings in the various counties across Texas and the important role that county and district clerks have in condemnation proceedings. |
| 3:30-3:40 p.m. |
Break: Log in to next session
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| 3:40-4:40 p.m. |
Legislative Updates: Panel Discussion
Panel
Join the discussion to learn more about the 86th Legislature and the legislative plans for CDCAT. |
| 4:40 p.m. |
Adjourn Conference |