Recovery Courts in Tennessee.
Jeri Thomas CV
Jeri H. Thomas is currently the CEO of the Nashville Recovery Court Support Foundation, a community based 501c3 non-profit organization established to help the substance abuse problem in the criminal justice system. She received her Master of Criminal Justice degree in 2000 and Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1996 from Middle Tennessee State University.
She began her career in Davidson County in 1997 as a DUI probation officer for Judge Frank Clement. In 2001, began working as the program evaluator/coordinator for the Davidson County Drug Court, founded by the “Grandfather of Tennessee Drug/Recovery Courts”, the Late Judge Seth W. Norman.
In 2004, after securing congressionally mandated federal funding, she began working in non-profit management dedicating over sixteen years to the expansion, enhancement and sustainability of the Davidson County Drug Court to include statewide programming for methamphetamine/prescription drug offenders, a program for participants in the Davidson County Mental Health Court, and a drug court alumni association.
Under her leadership, the Nashville Recovery Court Support Foundation has been instrumental in the planning, establishment and operations of additional statewide residential recovery courts using a unique alternative sentencing model in lieu of prison for adult non-violent justice involved men and women with substance use disorders from every judicial district across Tennessee.
In 2013, as a part of Governor Haslam’s Public Safety Plan, together with Judge Norman, the Departments of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Corrections and Safety, the Morgan County Residential Recovery Court (presided over by Judge Mike Pemberton) was established for adult male nonviolent felony offenders with substance use disorders from referring recovery courts across the state. In 2022, the Women’s Residential Recovery Court of Tennessee, (presided over by Judge Angelita Dalton), opened and began providing the same opportunity for women.
Jeri has experience working with stakeholders and policymakers at the federal, state and local levels on criminal justice and substance use related issues. She has co-authored an article published in the Tennessee Bar Journal: “Drug Court Success – Outcomes and Cost Savings of an Innovative Residential Drug Court Treatment Program for Felony Offenders” (2015); presented at the CAPTASA Annual Conference on “Applications of the Principles in Treatment of Addictions and Substance Abuse” (2014); National Association of Drug Court Professionals Conference on “Drug Court Foundations – Community Backing and Buy-in” (2012); “Using the Drug Court Model to Provide Residential Treatment Services within a Criminal Justice Facility” (2012); and the Bi-National Conference of Demand Reduction in Monterrey, Mexico (2008).
EDUCATION
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee (M.A., Criminal Justice, 2000)
- Thesis: A Tennessee Case Study of Judicial Attitudes about Cameras in the Courtroom; Dr. Michael Hallett, Thesis Advisor
- Graduate studies completed through a joint program between Middle Tennessee State University and Tennessee State University
- Vice-President, Criminal Justice Graduate School Association (1997-1999); Faculty Advisor, The Late, Dr. Christopher Nwokoji, Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee (B.S., 1996)
- Major: Criminal Justice Administration
- Minor: Psychology; Minor: Spanish
- Cheerleader (1991-1993)
- Member, Varsity Squad; Captain, Junior Varsity Squad
- Member, Lambda Alpha Chi, Middle Tennessee State Chapter (1993-1996)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Nashville Drug Court Support Foundation (NDCSF) DBA Nashville Recovery Court Support Foundation, CEO (2004 – Present)
- Provides administrative oversight of the Morgan County Residential Recovery Court (MCRRC) and the Women’s Residential Recovery Court (WRRC).
- Oversee staff for Morgan County and Women’s Residential Recovery Courts and Nashville Recovery Court Support Foundation administrative office.
- Responsible for administering business of the organization in accordance with non-profit requirements and assurance that the organization achieves its focus which is to help the substance abuse problem in the criminal justice system.
- Researches, writes and administers various government and private, non-profit grants.
- Works with Recovery Court Judges, directors, staff, participants and alumni.
- Provides leadership in the development, design and sustainability of long-term residential drug/recovery court programs.
- Garners support/participation from stakeholders with public and private agencies, community and faith-based organizations for education, acquisition of resources and funding.
- Hands on leadership coordinating and synthesizing research, evaluation and data compilation relevant to program operations, funding activities, and contribution to research in the field of addiction and the criminal justice system.
- Publicizes organizational activities to include programming and goals including dissemination of information about long-term residential drug/recovery court programs. (attends/presents at conferences, meetings, seminars, serves on panels/committees on issues related to addiction and the criminal justice system).
- Leadership with critical advocacy and community outreach.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (Continued)
- Secured congressionally earmarked funding dedicating over sixteen years to the expansion, enhancement and sustainability of the Davidson County Drug Court to include statewide programming for methamphetamine/prescription drug offenders, a program for participants in the Davidson County Mental Health Court, and a drug court alumni association.
Davidson County Drug Court Program, Program Evaluator/Coordinator (2001 – 2004)
- Provided program coordination and evaluation services.
- Worked closely with Presiding Drug Court Judge, Program Director, staff and program participants.
- Worked with outside evaluator to interpret statistical relevance and obtain data for potential funders.
- Provided regular and ongoing quality assurance.
- Researched potential funders and other sources of revenue.
- Created opportunities to obtain funding and build linkages through community outreach activities.
- Provided grant writing and grant reporting.
- Provided data collection, management and reporting utilizing SPSS statistical database on all Davidson County Drug Court program participants.
- Forged partnerships with stakeholders at the federal, state and local levels including potential funders from the government and private sector.
Key accomplishments:
- Instrumental in the planning, establishment and operations of additional statewide residential recovery courts using a unique alternative sentencing model in lieu of prison for adult non-violent justice involved men and women with substance use disorders impacting every judicial district across Tennessee.
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- In 2022, together with the Late Judge Seth Norman and Judge Angelita Blackshear-Dalton, the Departments of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and General Services, helped establish the Women’s Residential Recovery Court of Tennessee, (presided over by Judge Angelita Dalton).
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- In 2013, as a part of Governor Haslam’s Public Safety Plan, worked together with Judge Norman, the Departments of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Corrections and Safety, to establish the Morgan County Residential Recovery Court (presided over by Judge Mike Pemberton) for adult male nonviolent felony offenders with substance use disorders from referring recovery courts across the state.
- Provided leadership in legislative work which resulted in increased revenue for drug/recovery courts across Tennessee.
- Secured funding and coordinated a cost-analysis of the Davidson County Drug Court (2006), and three technical assistance “site reviews” in collaboration with American University (2006, 2008 and 2012) and for Morgan County Residential Recovery Court (2018).
- Worked with Governor Phil Bredesen’s Methamphetamine Task Force to expand long-term residential drug court programming across Tennessee.
- Secured stop-gap funding via legislatively mandated state dollars.
- Secured funding through multiple organizations including Walmart, the Tennessee Titans, Vanderbilt University, Governor’s Highway Safety Office, Metro Housing Development Agency, Bureau of Justice Assistance, United Way of Middle Tennessee and Memorial Foundation.
- Forged partnership with 2nd Harvest.
- Forged partnership with the Homebuilder’s Association which expanded vocational training to young, male Drug Court program participants.
- Implemented adult literacy and expanded GED programming.
- Developed and implemented “A Day in the Life of a Drug Court Resident” (prevention and intervention outreach to youth through mentoring by Drug Court residents and alumni.
- Formed a PENCIL Partnership between Brick Church Middle School and Davidson County Drug Court.
Davidson County Community Corrections – DUI Probation, Probation Officer (1999 – 2001)
- Supervision of misdemeanor DUI offenders which included random drug testing, treatment, public service work, and fine/court cost payment, NCIC and local arrest queries on all offender caseload.
- Screened multiple DUI offenders for work release eligibility coordinating with employers, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Department, District Attorney’s Office and defense counsel and preparing reports prior to court date.
- Reported to four (4) Criminal Court Judges and (3) Circuit Court Judges.
- Served as lead trainer for Probate/Probation & DUI Probation on CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Systems) development and Probation Management Software Program.
Probate/Probation, Probation Officer (1997 – 1999)
- Supervised misdemeanor DUI offenders.
- Reported to Probate Court Judge Frank G. Clement on progress or violation of each offender.
PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS
- Co-authored article published in the Tennessee Bar Journal: “Drug Court Success – Outcomes and Cost Savings of an Innovative Residential Drug Court Treatment Program for Felony Offenders” (2015).
- Presented at the Clinical Applications of the Principles in Treatment of Addictions and Substance Abuse (CAPTASA) 14th Annual Conference: “Using the Drug Court Model to provide Residential Treatment Services within a Criminal Justice Facility” (2014).
- Presented at the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) 18th Annual Training Conference “Drug Court Foundations: Community Backing and Buy-In” (2012).
- Presented at the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) 18th Annual Training Conference “Using the Drug Court Model to provide Residential Treatment Services within a Criminal Justice Facility” (2012).
- Highlighted in 2004 National Drug Control Strategy: “One Stop Shopping at Nashville’s Drug Court” (Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) (2004).
ACTIVITIES, ASSOCIATIONS & HONORS
- Recipient – Tennessee Association of Recovery Court Professionals (TARCP) Christy Vernon Spirit Award (2021).
- Member, Tennessee Association of Recovery Court Professionals (TARCP) – assisting with education and advocacy efforts for recovery courts and annual planning of “Recovery Courts – Day on the Hill”.
- Graduate – Collaboration College – HCA, Center for Non-Profit Management and David Lipscomb University (a year-long program to develop collaboration and collective impact initiatives to benefit the Middle Tennessee community (2011-2012).
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- One of three team finalists for Collaboration College Award – Recognized at Salute to Excellence Reception and Dinner (2012).
- Founding member, Responsible Residences (a grassroots non-profit established to improve the quality of recovery housing in the state of Tennessee) (2008).
- Advisory Committee Member and Advocacy Committee Member, Tennessee Alliance of Recovery Residences (TN-ARR) (Current)
- Volunteer Cheerleading Coach and mentor for St. Edward Catholic School (2008-2019).