Kirk’s high approval ratings are likely attributed to her intentionally including public participation in the selection of up to 30 judges each term, the creation and implementation of a nationally recognized and successful Misdemeanor Mental Health Court in collaboration with justice partners, and the massive number of public townhalls, information sessions, youth mentor programs, all while clearing a 30,000 plus small claims case backlog. The Court has also restructured case calendaring to reduce the time parties spend waiting in court, implemented mandatory civil e-filing, has been awarded two national grants, created the R.E.A.C.H. Clinic (a self-help consumer clinic model), which became the catalyst for the popular Magistrate Court 101 series with the Fulton Public Libraries. The court has been recognized with a Case Clearance Excellence Award for a three-year 254% clearance average, which is among the best in the nation.

Understanding the necessity of meeting the community where they are, during the height of COVID, Chief Judge Kirk showed her constituents innovation and care by hosting radio and online community townhalls to ensure the public knew the state of the court, their rights, and new rules regarding evictions in Fulton County. The Court also paired with local agencies and nonprofits, like Star C, United Way, and others to provide rental assistance during one of the darkest moments in American history, all while her team of judges kept court cases flowing, clearing nearly 85% of backlog cases (over 170,000 cases from 2019-2021).

According to Kirk, her mission is to create a Court that Informs, Engages, and Empowers the Community. The community has shown they appreciate public officials who serve efficiently, are responsive, and hold others as well as themselves accountable.

The Hicks Evaluation Group (HEG, LLC) was founded in Tallahassee, Florida in 2006. Over the years since its inception, HEG has advised agencies, organizations, and individuals in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. A data-driven firm, HEG specializes in using data to advise clients. HEG, LLC is a multi-state firm with influence throughout the Southeast

Fredrick Hicks, Survey Designer, is the Principal of HEG. Mr. Hicks holds a B.A. in International Business, an M.S. in International Affairs with a dual focus on Demography and Education, and a graduate-level certificate in Educational Policy Planning and Analysis while working toward his Ph.D. from Florida State University. Mr. Hicks has taught at every level, from K-12 through serving as an Adjunct Professor at Florida A&M University’s College of Education.

Mr. Hicks has extensive quantitative research experience for agencies, organizations, and individual clients. He served as an external evaluator for the Florida Department of Health (YRBS Survey) and as the Statewide Data and Evaluation manager for the Crisis Counseling Program at the Florida Department of Children and Families, which was funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Additionally, he served as the Process Improvement Coordinator for a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded program that was designed to enhance provider service delivery and financial sustainability.

Fredrick is an accomplished and distinguished political consultant. In 2015 he was named to the prestigious “Top 40 Under 40” list and has advised clients across the United States. Achievements include managing the campaigns to expand Atlanta’s infrastructure and transit system. In all, Fredrick’s efforts resulted in more than $3 billion in funding.

Omar Nagi, Methodologist, is the Lead Methodologist for HEG. Dr. Nagi holds a doctorate in Sociology from the State University of New York-Albany and has taught at the State University of New York-Albany. Dr. Nagi is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the College of Mount Saint Vincent. He is also the founding director of the Center for Undergraduate Research at the college. His specializations include the professions, methodology, and pedagogical techniques in both K-12 and higher education.

Jeffrey Ling, Data Analyst, serves as the Chief Data Analyst for HEG. Dr. Ling holds a doctoral degree from Florida State University in Political Science and is a Director with Guided Precision Services. Dr. Ling has taught at the College of Wooster, Florida State University, and Iowa State University. His areas of specialization include public management and operations, research methodology, econometrics, and government service provision.

The post Fulton, GA Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk Receives a 93% Approval Rating from Voters in Latest Poll appeared first on Urban News Now.

ATLANTA, GA / April 28, 2023 / Georgia State Representative Billy Mitchell – District 88, who is also the outgoing President of the highly regarded National Black Caucus of State Legislators, presented Dr. Rashad Richey with a Georgia State Resolution for his community-based work alongside Fulton County judges, including Chief Judge Cassandra Kirk of Fulton Magistrate Court, the largest court in the Southeast region of America. Many know Dr. Richey across the country for his national daily broadcasts and university lecture series, but it’s what he does away from the camera that endears him to many in the Metro Atlanta community and beyond. Chief Judge Kirk appointed Dr. Richey to assist the court with developing, implementing, managing, and supporting programs to bridge divides that exist between communities and courts. The programs Dr. Richey has helped create, manage, guide, and/or provide support for include, the Misdemeanor Mental Health Court, Family Rental Assistance Coalition, Day of Love (free weddings), Bang The Gavel (mentorship program), mass communication methodologies to better inform residents, various free legal clinics for the community annually, town halls, and philanthropic partnerships, just to name a few. “Dr. Richey’s leadership not only provides valuable resources for those who access the court… The services, philanthropic partnerships, and specialty programs save the county and taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually at a minimum”, said Jeremy Whitmore, a good governance policy expert, and Fulton resident.

According to Chief Judge Kirk, “Words are inadequate to express our gratitude to Dr. Richey. As a Court, we are new– less than 10 years old. Dr. Richey’s innovation, advocacy, and guidance have ensured that our judges and Court remain relevant and deeply connected to our community through engagement, philanthropy, and accessibility. As the Chief Magistrate Judge, I appreciate Dr. Richey’s connection to the community, his expertise in so many areas, and his never-ending support of our Court. We are honored that Representative Mitchell offered this proclamation to recognize his work. Thanks to Dr. Richey, we have the joy of informing, engaging, and empowering our community. That’s life-changing for us and those we serve.”

“I’ve known Dr. Richey for over 10 years and his dedication to people, in particular historically marginalized communities, is second to none. While many know him through his broadcast platforms, it’s what Dr. Richey does behind the scenes- helping families, youth, and young adults, that really sets him apart. It was an honor to bestow this State Resolution on such a deserving leader”, said GA State Representative Billy Mitchell.

Dr. Richey is a consummate people advocate who is currently completing his Juris Doctor (law degree) at the Birmingham School of Law, has provided lecture series at some of America’s top universities, including the University of Michigan, Reinhardt University, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse School of Medicine, Morris Brown College, and other notable institutions. He holds several advanced degrees, including completing doctoral research studies in federal policy reform from Clark Atlanta University, an additional research-based Ph.D. in international intersectionality contextualized through policy and religion from the Business University of Costa Rica, an MBA from Beulah Heights University, a Master of Science in Applied Physics and Quantum Mechanics from UNEM University and completed studies in Executive Leadership through Cornell University’s eCornell program to name a few.

Dr. Richey’s success traverses across multiple industries. This award-winning TV broadcaster, talk radio personality, and podcaster also has successful shows on SiriusXM Urban View – “Dr. Rashad Richey Review,” News & Talk 1380-WAOK/V-103 (HD3) — “The Rashad Richey Morning Show”, and is the insightful television anchor for “Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey” on the TYT Network, which is ranked the fastest growing television news show in America. He currently has over 1.7 million combined subscribers through his corresponding YouTube and Facebook Watch platforms, and as of today, over one million downloads for ‘Indisputable’ the podcast, which makes Richey’s podcast programming among the top 5% in America and is distributed on virtually all platforms, including Apple, Audible, Spotify, iHeart, and others.

This professor, broadcaster, policy expert, and business executive is also the founder of The Rashad Richey Foundation Inc., an organization dedicated to mentoring gang-affected and gang-affiliated youth and president of rolling out, a national multimedia company and the largest free-print urban publication in America.

The post State of GA and Fulton Judges Honor Dr. Rashad Richey with Proclamation for Community Effectiveness appeared first on Urban News Now.

Something special is happening in the correctional facilities of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office led by Sheriff Keybo Taylor, a well-respected law enforcement executive. A group of emergency room physicians and physician assistants have come together to offer healthcare services to incarcerated men and women that are not typical in jails. The group includes Ron Sanders, President; Benjamin Lefkove, CEO; Michelle Wan, Chief Medical Officer; Bernard Coxton, Chief Clinical Operations Officer; Natalie Schmitz, VP of Strategy/Implementation; LaMar Cochran, VP Training/Clinical; and Yair Strano, Chief Information Officer. Provided an opportunity by the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, these leaders are redefining the model of quality healthcare inside correctional buildings.

“The Hippocratic Oath says ‘first, do no harm’ so my team and I extend the same care to inmates as we do with someone coming into the ER. The patient comes first,” says Ron Sanders.

Ron Sanders

Before founding FirstClass Healthcare, Mr. Sanders and his team founded Viral Solutions, a company that helped resolve the COVID-19 testing crisis in Georgia by giving out no-cost covid tests to the insured and uninsured at Brookhaven MARTA. It was the team’s precise execution of the COVID-19 project that landed them an opportunity with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office.

Directly following their work at Viral Solutions, FirstClass Healthcare was born. “We found out that medications [in many Georgia facilities] were not being given to the [incarcerated] patients in a timely manner. With our help, patients in the Gwinnett County jail are being seen every 3 days.”

Another major concern inside of all jails has been ensuring vaccinations are effectively administered against the ongoing Covid Virus. “Since our contract began last year, we have successfully administered some 60,000 vaccines to inmates across several facilities,” Sanders said. “This is our first contract and we are pleased with the current conditions in the Gwinnett County jail. We pride ourselves in getting patients with HIV their proper medications and patients who struggle with mental health their medications and resources in a timely manner.”

FirstClass Healthcare is also a majority-minority company, which makes the work even more essential. “This helps with trust because many times we are serving a population who look like us,” Sanders said.

“In any given year, 35,000 to 37,000 individuals are incarcerated at the Gwinnett County Jail, which makes this contract a large resource in prioritizing healthcare for incarcerated people.

When asked if they are open to more contracts “We prioritize patients over profit, so if it’s a good fit, we will consider it.” Dr. Acire, a noted radio personality, influencer, and advocate says “The innovative and life-changing work being done at the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office is simply amazing. The citizens of Gwinnett are blessed to have FirstClass Healthcare, Sheriff Taylor and his team… they care deeply about everyone being safe.”

You can find more information about FirstClass Healthcare on their website at
https://firstclasshealthcare.com/
By Zainab Khadijah Karim

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