About Us

ABOUT US

HISTORY

Justice Forward was founded as a Social Justice Task Force in 2003 by members of Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church. The organization was incorporated as an independent nonprofit, the Harris County Drug Court Foundation, in 2006. Our original mission was to help individuals with non-violent, addiction-related offenses who participated in and graduated from Harris County’s STAR Drug Court to return to society and lead productive lives by funding various additional support services. Between 2006 and 2020, HCDCF provided services to over 700 individuals.

In 2020, Harris County Drug Court Foundation became Justice Forward as we expanded our mission to work with all 18 Harris County Specialty Courts, and grew again to support two Galveston County Specialty Courts and three Fort Bend County courts in 2022. As the first Strategic Alliance Initiative of its kind in Texas, Justice Forward is a collaborative effort to assist all Specialty Court clients become healthy and productive members of their communities. The clients we serve are veterans, those who struggle with substance abuse disorders, individuals with mental health issues, as well as juveniles involved in human trafficking and gang activity. Our innovative program provides funds for transitional housing, counseling, employment and education assistance and other essential services that contribute to lowering recidivism rates and increasing family reunification rates, and in the process delivering fiscal savings to Texas taxpayers. Serving as a model for the nation, Justice Forward promotes collaboration among the courts as well as shared community resources.

HISTORY

Justice Forward was founded as a Social Justice Task Force in 2003 by members of Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church. The organization was incorporated as an independent nonprofit, the Harris County Drug Court Foundation, in 2006. Our original mission was to help individuals with non-violent, addiction-related offenses who participated in and graduated from Harris County’s STAR Drug Court to return to society and lead productive lives by funding various additional support services. Since 2006, HCDCF has provided services to over 700 individuals.

In 2020, Harris County Drug Court Foundation became Justice Forward as we expanded our mission to work with all 18 Harris County Specialty Courts. As the first Strategic Alliance Initiative of its kind in Texas, Justice Forward is a collaborative effort to assist all Specialty Court clients become healthy and productive members of their communities. The clients we serve are veterans, those who struggle with substance abuse disorders, individuals with mental health issues, as well as juveniles involved in human trafficking and gang activity. Our innovative program provides funds for transitional housing, counseling, employment assistance and other essential services that contribute to lowering recidivism rates and in the process delivering fiscal savings to Texas taxpayers. Serving as a model for the nation, Justice Forward promotes collaboration among the courts as well as shared community resources.

MISSION

Justice Forward breaks the cycle of incarceration and funds essential programs for individuals in Houston-area Specialty Courts to help them become independent and productive members of our community.

LEADERSHIP

CEO/President Devon Anderson

Devon Anderson has devoted her career to public service. She was a prosecutor for 12 years at the Houston DA’s office and tried over 100 felony jury trials. In 2005 she was elected to serve as State District Judge in the 177th Criminal District Court. While serving as District Judge, Devon also volunteered her time to preside over one of four STAR Drug Courts. In 2009 Devon left the bench and started her own criminal defense firm. At the end of 2012, Devon ended her practice when her husband was elected Harris County District Attorney. In 2013, Devon was appointed Harris County District Attorney to succeed her late husband, Mike Anderson. After serving in that position for over three years, Devon transitioned from the legalb profession to nonprofit work. She became the CEO of Justice Forward in 2019, and expanded its assistance from four Houston Specialty Courts to 23 courts in three counties. She also serves as Board Chair of the Party Sober Partnership. This work is ideal for Devon who celebrates every day of her 14 years of sobriety.

Program Director Mary Covington

Mary Covington is a retired employee of the Harris County District Courts, having served for 19 years until her retirement in August 2022. Throughout her tenure in Harris County, Mary played a crucial role in establishing various diversion initiatives. In 2003, she became the first coordinator for the Harris County Success Through Addiction Recovery (STAR) Drug Court Program. Her dedication and expertise led to her promotion as the Specialty Courts Program Manager in 2009, where she collaborated with Judge Marc Carter to establish the first Veterans Treatment Court in Texas. In addition to her supervisory responsibilities for the felony Treatment Courts, Mary took on the role of Court Manager for Harris County Responsive Interventions for Change docket in 2016. This docket specifically focuses on providing treatment opportunities to the 4500-5000 offenders charged with possession of a controlled substance each year in Harris County. Mary’s contributions to Treatment Courts and the recovery community have been widely recognized, earning her numerous awards like the Justice For Vets; Hank Parowski Award awarded in 2015, and the inaugural Mary Covington Award for Outstanding Specialty Court Team Member awarded by the Texas Association of Specialty Courts in 2016.

Executive Assistant Leah Dozier

Leah Dozier, a graduate from the Conrad Hilton College at the University of Houston, has worked in prestigious hotels and restaurants across the United States. Leah started her career in hospitality at a young age, helping her father at a private club. She worked at a local Italian Café for 10 years while advancing her education in the industry. She participated in Starwood’s Hotel and Resorts Intern program and worked at The St. Regis in Houston. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management, she managed the food and beverage department at a convention hotel in Dallas, handling events like the Superbowl and NBA All-Star Game. She then joined a team at The Helmsley Hotel in Manhattan for renovations and brand transition. Leah became an Assistant General Manager at The Original Palm Restaurant in Manhattan and later moved to Houston to become the first female Assistant General Manager and then General Manager of The Houston Palm Restaurant.

Board of Directors

List of Services

Court Alliance Council
This advisory body is made up of representatives from each of the court groups. They submit requests for assistance on behalf of their clients, meet quarterly to share best practices and resources and provide court updates to the Board of Directors.
- Valdemar Balderas, Program Director Misdemeanor Treatment Court, (Fort Bend County)
- Kelly Barron, Special Project Coordinator, Juvenile Specialty Courts (Harris County)
- Michelle Barnett, Program Coordinator, Veterans Treatment Court (Harris Co.)
- Marilyn Carpenter-Lewis, Program Director, Felony Mental Health Court (Fort Bend County)
- Drue Gaines, Program Director, Felony Mental Health Court (Harris County)
- Monica Jones, Program Director, HOPE Drug Court and the Felony Mental Health Court (Galveston County)
- Perla Khan, Supervisor, SOBER Court (Harris County)
- Keith Liles, Program Manager and Clinical Director, STAR Drug Court (Harris County)
- Ashlen Torres, Program Director, CORE Court (Fort Bend County)

CEO/President Devon Anderson

Devon Anderson has devoted her career to public service. She was a prosecutor for 12 years at the Houston DA’s office and tried over 100 felony jury trials. In 2005 she was elected to serve as State District Judge in the 177th Criminal District Court. While serving as District Judge, Devon also volunteered her time to preside over one of four STAR Drug Courts. In 2009 Devon left the bench and started her own criminal defense firm. At the end of 2012, Devon ended her practice when her husband was elected Harris County District Attorney. In 2013, Devon was appointed Harris County District Attorney to succeed her late husband, Mike Anderson. After serving in that position for over three years, Devon transitioned from the legal profession to nonprofit work. She became the CEO of Justice Forward in 2019 and expanded its assistance from four Houston Specialty Courts to 23 courts in three counties. She also serves as Board Chair of the Party Sober Partnership. This work is ideal for Devon who celebrates every day of her 15 years of sobriety.

Program Director Mary Covington

Executive Assistant Leah Dozier

Board of Directors

List of Services

Court Alliance Council
This advisory body is made up of representatives from each of the court groups. They submit requests for assistance on behalf of their clients, meet quarterly to share best practices and resources and provide court updates to the Board of Directors.
- Valdemar Balderas, Program Director Misdemeanor Treatment Court, (Fort Bend County)
- Kelly Barron, Special Project Coordinator, Juvenile Specialty Courts (Harris County)
- Michelle Barnett, Program Coordinator, Veterans Treatment Court (Harris Co.)
- Marilyn Carpenter-Lewis, Program Director, Felony Mental Health Court (Fort Bend County)
- Drue Gaines, Program Director, Felony Mental Health Court (Harris County)
- Monica Jones, Program Director, HOPE Drug Court and the Felony Mental Health Court (Galveston County)
- Perla Khan, Supervisor, SOBER Court (Harris County)
- Keith Liles, Program Manager and Clinical Director, STAR Drug Court (Harris County)
- Ashlen Torres, Program Director, CORE Court (Fort Bend County)

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Justice Forward has relationships with many local organizations providing transitional living, counseling and other services. These include the The Council on Recovery, H. E. B., Houston Recovery Center, The Salvation Army, Mercy Street, Chapelwood United Methodist Church, The WorkFaith Connection, Angela House, Open Door Mission, Santa Maria Hostel, Harris County RIDES, Dress for Success, The Star of Hope and the Houston Recovery Inititiative.

TESTIMONIALS

"By providing funding, thought leadership, and community outreach for these essential alternative judicial processes, Justice Forward plays a pivotal role in making our local criminal courts system more humane and effective. The organization addresses the underlying addiction of non-violent offenders and offers hope for recovery and a better life. And it does so with dignity.”

Bob Newhouse, donor

"We have had a number of individuals who were positively impacted by Justice Forward and now work for us as counselors and recovery coaches. Because they have been where our current clients are, they are able to really connect with them. Their passion to help others is heart-warming, and I hear from them over and over again how participation in the Specialty Courts and support from Justice Forward allowed them to be the productive community member they are today.”

Nadine Scamp, CEO of Santa Maria Hostel

"In December 2012 I was accepted into STAR Drug Court. I knew that if I did not accept this opportunity, I would be continuing to feed a 30-year substance use disorder and be right back into human trafficking. STAR Drug Court held me to a level of accountability and integrity that promoted my drive for a new way of life, even if I did not know what that picture looked like. While in STAR Drug Court and after its completion, Justice Forward assisted me with drug treatment, supportive housing, counseling and scholarships to continue my education.”

Lillian Stephens, former client

FAQs

What is a Specialty Court?

A Specialty Court is a problem-solving court designed to address the root causes of criminal activity and child neglect by providing a judicially supervised, individually crafted probation with mandated treatment. Specialty Courts bridge the gap between the justice system and therapeutic approaches for participants with drug dependencies, mental illness, and/or other societal challenges. Clients receive innovative and intensive individualized supervision by the court team and treatment providers. These courts employ a graduated system of incentives and sanctions to reward and re-direct behavior and encourage participants to attain education and employment goals. Each client’s goals are discussed and monitored to ensure success in both completing the program and conquering underlying issues. Learn more about the mission of each of the Specialty Courts we serve here.
How does Justice Forward work with Houston-area Specialty Courts?

Justice Forward is an independent nonprofit and is not operated by the counties we serve nor their court systems. We work closely with all 18 Harris County Specialty Courts as well as courts in Galveston and Fort Bend counties by providing funds for a variety of support services for clients in and graduates of the programs, filling gaps between the court-mandated activities and successful independent living that will help to ensure sobriety and/or success. Funds for support services for this population are not available from other sources.

Specifically, Justice Forward provides funds for counseling and recovery coaching, transitional housing, tuition assistance, and transportation among other services. We work with many local community organizations that offer these services and have established a system for providing grants and stipends for individuals working toward successfully returning to live in the community.
What is Justice Forward’s success rate?

Since its founding in 2006, Justice Forward, has provided services to hundreds of individuals. Recidivism rates for this total population include the following:

Total within 1 year — 85 individuals (12.3%)
Total within 2 years — 132 individuals (19.2%)
Total within 5 years — 187 individuals (27.2%)
Total recidivists — 208 individuals (30.2%)

These rates of recidivism are impressive and much lower than the national norm. A study conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2014 found that drug offenders were the second most likely group to reoffend (after property offenders); 76.9 percent of drug offenders released in 2005 were rearrested within five years, nearly half of those within the first year of release. Justice Forward’s work with the population of non-violent drug offenders is producing much lower recidivism rates than the national rates cited by the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
How do Specialty Courts select their clients?

Participation in Specialty Courts is voluntary. Clients can be referred to the various programs by their attorneys, the presiding judge, the prosecutor, the probation officer, or Child Protective Services. Each court program performs an assessment of candidates to determine their suitability for the program and their individual needs.
How does Justice Forward process grants and make funding decisions?

Grant requests for transitional housing, counseling, transportation and other basic needs are made on behalf of clients by their court representative. Each set of courts has a representative who liaises with Justice Forward leadership. Those requests are divided into two categories: Discretionary Grants requesting goods or services costing less than $10,000; and Major Grants, which involve services valued at $10,000 or more.

Discretionary Grants are reviewed and decided on promptly by the CEO/President and the Chair of the Board. Major Grant requests are placed on the agenda of the next Board meeting and considered and voted on by the Board of Directors. Grants are funded on a first-come, first-served basis.

A separate process is in place for requests involving tuition assistance and workforce training fees. Clients apply directly to Justice Forward by filling out the appropriate application found on this website. The completed application is emailed to CEO/President Devon Anderson. The same categories regarding the amount of the request as described above apply to these grants as well.
How can I help?

We are currently redefining our volunteer assistance program. Some ways to help include offering venues for sober events, providing gift cards for incentives, mentoring graduates, providing internships for our juveniles, and hosting an awareness session to share our mission with your friends and affinity groups.
Can I donate to one court in particular?

Yes. On our donation page, there is a drop-down menu that has a list of the courts we support, as well as a “general operations” option. This allows you to direct your contribution to the court program of your choice or to the continued operation of Justice Forward.