HomeMy WebLinkAboutR2011-044s:Uegallour documentslresolutions1111resolution juvenile case manager-ethics standards.docx
RESOLUTIONNO. RZO11-044
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING ETHICAL AND TRAINING STANDARDS FOR JUVENILE
CASE MANAGERS EMPLOYED BY THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS; PROVIDING FOR
IMPLEMENTATION OF SAID STANDARDS; PROVIDING FOR PERIODIC REVIEW TO
ENSURE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REQUISITE STANDARDS; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Denton has, pursuant to Code of Criminal Procedure 102.0174,
authorized a juvenile case manager fund supported by additional costs assessed and collected in
municipal court; and
WHEREAS, the City of Denton has, pursuant to Code of Criminal Procedure 45.056,
employed a juvenile case manager to provide services in cases involving juvenile offenders
before the court; and
WHEREAS, the 82°d Texas Legislature enacted Senate Bi1161, requiring that a governing
body that employs a juvenile case manager to adopt reasonable rules for juvenile case managers
and therein provide for and adopt a code of ethics, educational pre-service and in-service training
standards, and training in relevant substantive areas; and
WHEREAS, the City of Denton wishes to ensure that its juvenile case managers receive
the requisite training and are held to the highest ethical standards; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY RESOLVES:
SECTION 1. Adoption of a Code of Ethics.
The City of Denton hereby adopts the Juvenile Case Manager Code of Ethics, as the
ethical standard to which the City of Denton's juvenile case manager or managers shall
be held, as follows:
1.A. Goals.
The goal of the juvenile case manager is to assist the Municipal Court Judge and
the City of Denton Municipal Court in administering the Court's juvenile docket,
and to assist the Court in supervising its orders and directives in juvenile cases.
The mission of the juvenile case manager is to assist the Municipal Judges by
providing juveniles with information, direction and resources to shape the
juvenile defendant's futures, enable them to connect with to the community, and
become better and productive citizens. At all times, a juvenile case manager for
the City of Denton shall respect the dignity of every person with whom they have
contact and demonstrate integrity and honesty, and compassion for the needs of
those before the Court.
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1.B. Standards of Conduct.
Confidentialitv. A juvenile case manager shall not disclose to any unauthorized
person any confidential information acquired in the course of employment. A
juvenile case manager shall not violate the confidentiality of juvenile clients,
unless it is to seelc consultation services from within the Court's case management
program, school campus, or in instances in which the juvenile has threatened to
harm himself, herself or others, or to provide details of any on-going criminal
activity or enterprise.
Conflicts of Interest. A juvenile case manager shall be alert to and avoid conflicts
of interest that interfere with the exercise of professional discretion and impartial
judgment. In order to maintain the community's trust in the judicial system, a
juvenile case manager should avoid soliciting or accepting improper gifts,
gratuities, or loans, and should avoid engaging in business relationships that give
rise to an appearance of impropriety.
Competence. A juvenile case manager shall endeavor at all times to perform
official duties properly and with courtesy and diligence. A juvenile case manager
shall fulfill his or her duty and represent himself or herself only within the
boundaries of their education, training, license, certification, consultation
received, supervised experience, or other relevant professional experience.
Respect for the Law. A juvenile case manager shall abide by all federal, state,
county, and municipal laws, guidelines, ordinances and rules. A juvenile case
manager shall be familiar with the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct and the basic
standards to which members of the judiciary are held.
Abuse of Position. A juvenile case manager shall not use or attempt to use his or
her official position to secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions for himself,
herself, or any other person. A juvenile case manager shall always maintain an
appropriate relationship with juveniles coming under the jurisdiction of the Court.
A juvenile case manager shall not discriminate against any person on the basis of
age, sex, creed, sexual preference, disability, or national origin.
1.C. Enforcement.
Any alleged violation of applicable ethical standards shall be subject to
investigation and discipline by appropriate authority of the City of Denton, and
the juvenile case manager shall be subject to removal.
SECTION 2. Educational Training Standards (Pre-Service and In-Service).
Further, the City of Denton hereby adopts the Educational Pre-service and In-service
Training Standards, as the appropriate educational standards for its juvenile case manager
or managers, as follows:
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2.A. Minimum Requirements for Training and Experience Prior to Appointment as a
Juvenile Case Manager for the City of Denton:
A person appointed to the position of juvenile case manager (JCM) shall, prior to,
or at the time of appointment, possess at a minimum: (1) A high school diploma
or GED and, (2) five years relevant experience in juvenile case process and
procedures and case management related to municipal court.
2.B. Education and Training Prior to, or Within the First Year after Appointment as a
Juvenile Case Manager for the City of Denton (Pre-Service Requirements):
A person appointed as juvenile case manager for the City of Denton who has been
employed or working for the City of Denton Municipal Court, shall, within a one
year (12 month) period of time immediately after their appointment, attend or
receive at least twenty-four (24) hours of training or education in the following
subjects or topics: (a) the role of the juvenile case manager; (b) ethics; (c) juvenile
law & introduction to court procedure; (d) the fundamentals of case planning and
management; (e) interagency collaboration; (� risk assessment; (g) juvenile
mental health; (h) child psychology; and (i) report writing.
2.C. Continuing Education and Training Each Year after Appointment as a Juvenile
Case Manager for the City of Denton (In-Service Requirements):
In addition to the Pre-Service Training Requirement set forth above, a person who
continues to serve as a juvenile case manager for the City of Denton Municipal
Court, shall, in each year following the initial two years after the date of initial
appointment, shall continue to attend and receive an additional eight (8) hours of
training each year thereafter, in the following subjects or topics: (a) mental health;
(b) legal or legislative session updates; (c) recognizing and reporting abuse and
neglect; (d) substance abuse; (e) special topic as assigned by the presiding judge;
(� juvenile gangs; (g) family violence; (h) bullying; (i) sex offenders; (j) juveniles
with learning, psychological, and physical disabilities; (k) improvements and
processes in documentation and technology; and (1) testifying as an expert
witness.
SECTION 3. Allocation of Funds and Resources.
The City of Denton herein requires and resolves to provide necessary resources and
financial support for continuing development and education of the juvenile case manager
and resolves to provide training in the role of the juvenile case manager; case planning
and management.
3.A, Allocation of Funds:
The Council herein directs the Office of the Municipal Judge to allot sufficient
financial resources to provide adequate opportunities for the person appointed as
juvenile case manager, so as to best serve, support and direct the juvenile
defendants appearing in the Denton Municipal Court as to any and all offenses
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filed in said court, including, but not limited to the school attendance related
offenses.
3.B. Available Resources:
Accordingly, the City of Denton hereby requires that its juvenile case managers
receive training in the role of the juvenile case manager, case planning and
management, applicable procedural and substantive law, courtroom proceedings
and presentation, services to at-rislc youth, local programs for juveniles, and the
detection and prevention of abuse, exploitation, and neglect of juveniles.
3.C. Specific Direction of Training:
The Court shall direct and require that the appointed juvenile case manager
become familiar with, and receive specific training in the role of the juvenile case
manager; case planning and management; applicable procedural and substantive
law; courtroom proceedings and presentation; services to at-rislc youth under
Subchapter D(Services to At-Risk Youth), Chapter 264 (Child Welfare Services),
Family Code; local programs and services for juveniles and methods by which
juveniles may access those programs and services; and detecting and preventing
abuse, exploitation, and neglect of juveniles.
Further, the City of Denton hereby directs that the rules adopted herein be
implemented by the Municipal Court Judge in concert with the Municipal Court
Clerlc, and that the Municipal Judge shall appoint not less than one (1) individual
to serve in the capacity of juvenile case manager for the City of Denton Municipal
Court.
Also, the direct supervision and funding of this position shall be under the Clerlc
of the Denton Municipal Court and all other matters involving employment,
personnel or budget shall fall under the exclusive management of the Department
of Finance. Day-to-day supervision and review as to determination of law,
decisions, or application or actions taken by actions taken by the juvenile case
manager as to individual juveniles before the Court shall be at the direction and
under the supervision of the Presiding Judge for the City of Denton Municipal
Court.
SECTION 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage and
approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the �! �� day of , 201 l.
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ATTEST:
JENNIFER WALTERS, CITY SECRETARY
,,
BY: ,L c � .
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
ANITA BURGESS, CITY ATTORNEY
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BY: �
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