| Tuesday, March 30 |
| Noon |
Accelevents Platform Opens |
| 1 – 1:15 p.m. |
Welcome and Introductions
Ms. Charlene Graff, Chair, Court Assistants Advisory Committee
Hon. Susan M. Redford, Executive Director, Texas Association of Counties (TAC)
Hon. Mary Cunningham, Judicial Program Manager, TAC
|
| 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. |
Essential Role of Court Assistants: Judge's Perspective
This session will explore the many and varied roles of court assistants and enlighten attendees about a judge’s perspective of their important and essential role in the county.
Hon. Stephanie Davis, Judge, Comanche County
|
| 2:15 - 2:30 p.m. |
Break |
| 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. |
Indigency Issues: Mental Health, Medical Care and Defense
Hon. Kirk Noaker, Magistrate Judge, Burnet County
|
| 3:30 - 3:45 p.m. |
Break |
| 3:45 - 4:45 p.m. |
Commissioners Court: Open Meetings Act, Agendas and Postings
A general overview of the operations of the commissioners court will be explored with emphasis on postings, court agendas, executive sessions and the importance of the Open Meetings Act.
Hon. Mary Cunningham, Judicial Program Manager, TAC
|
| 4:45 – 5 p.m. |
TAC CIRA-Hosted Microsoft 365 Updates
Changes are coming to county email accounts that are hosted by TAC CIRA. This session will discuss those changes, and what options counties will have regarding their email service.
Mr. Kevin Hurley, Membership Development Manager
|
| 5 p.m. |
Recess |
| Wednesday, March 31 |
| 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. |
Docketing & Deadlines in Guardianship, Probate and Appeals from Justice Court
This session will explore the persistent issues that arise with these cases, including tracking the deadlines and docketing issues with each of them. Various options and policies that can be utilized to address these concerns will also be discussed.
Hon. Donece Gregory, County Clerk, Tyler County
|
|
9:30 – 9:45 a.m.
|
Break |
| 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. |
Courtroom Security: Communication, Controls and Constraints
This presentation will discuss the options available to best control and communicate various options to maximize courtroom security, as well as courthouse best practices.
Hon. C.B. "Buck" Stevens, Constable, Brazoria County
|
|
10:45 – 11 a.m.
|
Break
|
| 11 a.m. - noon |
Mental Health & Stress
During this session attendees will learn why it is important to give yourself a "reality check" in regard to your mental health status, how to positively manage stress, including the resources and tools available, and how to reduce a stressful workplace environment.
Ms. Ashley Cureton, Wellness Consultant, TAC
|
| Noon – 1 p.m. |
Break for Lunch
|
| 1 – 2 p.m. |
Ethics: Special Issues During Election and Campaigns
The focus of this session will be on helping you navigate some of the ethical challenges that members of a judge’s staff face, concentrating particularly on campaigns and elections. We will examine ex parte communications, social media and the potential consequences arising from improper communications.
Hon. Tramer Woytek, Judicial Resource Liaison, TAC
|
| 2 – 2:15 p.m. |
Break |
| 2:15 – 3:15 p.m. |
Looking Forward: Virtual Court Trials, Challenges and Concerns
Mr. Mike Thompson, Associate General Counsel, TAC
|
| 3:15 – 3:30 p.m. |
Break |
| 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. |
Census 2021: Redistricting Considerations for Counties
Every 10 years, in the year after the U.S. census, Texas counties are tasked with redrawing their four precinct lines to make them consistent with changes in population. This session will discuss the various considerations that must be taken into account in those changes.
Mr. Bob Bass, Partner, Allison, Bass & Magee, LLP
|
| 4:30 p.m. |
Recess |
| Thursday, April 1 |
| 7:30 a.m. |
Accelevents Platform Opens |
| 8 - 9 a.m. |
Effectively Managing Court Dockets and Commissioners Court Proceedings
This session will discuss the various best practices that may be utilized to maximize commissioners court proceedings and court dockets. The particular emphasis of the role of the court coordinator will be discussed with special attention to streamlining court efficiency.
Ms. Marcia Short, Secretary, Bandera County
|
| 9 – 9:15 a.m. |
Break |
| 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. |
HR Hot Topics for County Court Assistants
Human resources is important in a smoothly running county, and many court assistants are the first contact for employees, elected officials and the public with questions regarding HR policies and procedures. This session will delve into some of the most important topics that will help as you assist with solutions for your county.
Ms. Lorie Floyd, HR Consultant, TAC
|
| 10:15 – 10:30 a.m. |
Break |
| 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. |
Cybersecurity in the Age of Disasters
Each year counties and businesses increasingly incur significant costs related to cybersecurity threats and must have policies and training in place to address limiting these losses. This session will discuss those threats and the solutions available to Texas counties to address and protect them from these attacks.
Hon. Jill Sklar, Judge, Jackson County
|
| 11:30 a.m. |
Adjourn |