Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) Director Deborah Taylor Tate was honored by the Tennessee Association of Recovery Court Professionals (TARCP) for her work with the organization and individuals struggling with substance misuse. Director Tate announced earlier this month that she will leave the AOC in early 2022.
“It is very unusual for a state to have the drug court oversight in a system that’s not in the AOC, but we need both of them,” said Marie Crosson, Executive Director, TARCP. “Debi was very open and eager and willing. She’s brought her staff, she’s been here for the judges when they come, she’s always wanting to find out how she can support us. There was a year we were going to do Continuing Legal Education virtually. She said, ‘We’ll come and record everything for you. You tell me what you need and we’ll help you.’ She’s just been extremely supportive of our work and wanting to continue to integrate and find ways to further collaborate. We appreciate that and need the AOC to be our partner.”
The TARCP is a nonprofit organization that supports recovery courts by providing training, technical assistance, education, legislative advocacy, resource sharing and networking opportunities for recovery courts and their partners. The goal of the organization is to reduce substance abuse, crime and repeat offenses by promoting positive change in individuals who struggle with criminal and addictive behavior.
Judge O. Duane Slone, 4th Judicial District Circuit Court, met Director Tate early on in her tenure with the AOC, and the two frequently crossed paths because of a shared passion for helping pregnant women with opioid use disorders have healthy babies.
“The drive and the passion are unparalleled as to what Debi Tate brings, what she’s brought to this drug court conference since she’s been here. The support that we now have is just incredible,” said Judge Slone. Judge Slone fought back tears, as he shared this message with Director Tate, “Personally, and professionally, you are also one of my heroes. Thank you for your service. We are going to miss you.”
Judge Jimmy C. Smith, Obion County General Sessions Court, took the opportunity to praise Director Tate’s leadership at the AOC.
“The AOC is a tremendous asset to judges across the state and the judicial system in general,” said Judge Smith. “It’s hard to imagine how we could function without the staff that exists there. I’m blessed many of them are here today because they are unsung heroes. They get the calls when the problems happen, like COVID-19. They take all those arrows for us, but they are incredible and that usually, with most organizations, begins at the top. And that’s what I found in Debi Tate. She has put together an organization that allows those of us who will miss her to know it will carry on. I think the key to success, long term, of any organization, any entity, is the fact that when it transitions from one leader to the next that it is able to carry on. That says a lot about what’s been put together to make it the success that it is. We’re going to miss you, Debi.”
In addition to her work supporting recovery courts in Tennessee, Director Tate also served as the Co-Chair of the National Judicial Opioid Task Force. In that role, she was a national advocate for training judges and court systems, assisting with the development of curriculum and tools for every court in the country. She also played a pivotal role in the creation of the Regional Judicial Opioid Task Force and the Substance Misuse and Addiction Resource for Tennessee Justice Network (the SMART Justice Network). Director Tate also advocated strongly for the critical expansion of Safe Baby Courts in Tennessee, additional resources for rural communities impacted by substance misuse, and the expansion and support of diversion programs and dockets, including the Tennessee Recovery Oriented Compliance Strategy, Veterans Treatment Courts, Family Treatment Courts and more. During her tenure, every judge, court staff, and court clerk received substantial training on substance misuse.
“It’s really you all that do the hard and the tough job every single day,” Director Tate said. “I just get to be your cheerleader, and I will keep doing that from wherever I am. Commissioner Marie Williams and Chief, just thank you so much for being part of this. Judge Smith and Judge Slone, thank you. Heartfelt thanks to all of you all and very best in the future. Let’s keep saving lives.”
Click here to view the video highlighting Director Tate’s work with recovery programs.
Click here to view materials created by the National Judicial Opioid Task Force, co-chaired by Director Tate.
