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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2011-034 RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -034 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING ETHICAL AND TRAINING STANDARDS FOR JUVENILE CASE MANAGERS EMPLOYED BY THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SAID STANDARDS, AND PROVIDING FOR PERIODIC REVIEW TO ENSURE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REQUISITE STANDARDS WHEREAS, the City 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 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 Texas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 61, which requires the governing body employing a juvenile case manager to adopt, by December 1, 2011, reasonable rules for juvenile case managers that provide for a code of ethics, educational pre - service and in- service training standards, and training in relevant substantive areas; and WHEREAS, the City wishes to ensure that its juvenile case managers receive the requisite training and are held to the highest ethical standards; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, AS FOLLOWS: 1. The City hereby adopts the Juvenile Case Manager Code of Ethics attached hereto as Exhibit 'A," as the ethical standards to which the City's juvenile case managers shall be held. 2. The City hereby requires that its juvenile case managers receive a minimum of eight (8) hours of training per fiscal year. Areas of focus could include, but are not limited to: the role of the juvenile case manager, case planning and management, applicable procedural and substantive law, courtroom proceedings and presentations, services to at -risk youth, local programs for juveniles, and the detection and prevention of abuse, exploitation and neglect of juveniles. 3. The City hereby directs that the rules adopted herein be implemented by the appropriate personnel. 4. The City hereby requires an annual review of its juvenile case managers to ensure implementation of the rules adopted herein. Resolution No. 2011 -034 Page 1 of 3 AND IT IS SO RESOLVED. PASSED AND APPROVED on the 14th day of November, 2011. CITY OF ORTH HLAND HILLS `` <,,eeeeeeeeeeue!uittnnu ,pi t� :' h tyre Oscar Trevino, Mayor ATTEST: C U%. h .y` �- ; Patricia Secretary APPR V D A TO FORM AND LEGALITY: George A. taples, ity Attorney W ur D AS TO CONTENT• ko, Munici I Court Administrator Resolution No. 2011 -034 Page 2 of 3 EXHIBIT "A" PREAMBLE The goal of the Juvenile Case Manager is to assist the Court in administering the Court's juvenile docket and in supervising its court orders in juvenile cases. The mission of the Juvenile Case Manager is to assist judges in providing juveniles the resources to shape their futures, connect with the community and become law abiding citizens. When applying this Code of Ethics, keep foremost in mind that the City is guided at all times by the values of integrity, excellence, compassion and respect for the dignity of every person. STANDARDS Confidentiality. 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 seek consultation services from within the case management program, school campus, or the juvenile has threatened to harm himself, herself, or others, or to provide details of any 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. ENFORCEMENT Any alleged violation of applicable ethical standards shall be subject to investigation and discipline by the hiring entity's designated non - judicial department or supervisor. Resolution No. 2011 -034 Page 3 of 3