Superior Court gets award

The Ventura Superior Court's QuickStart Assessment Center has received the Justice Achievement Award from the National Association for Court Management. The award recognizes courts and related organizations for projects and accomplishments that enhance the administration of justice. It was presented to the court at the association's annual conference in Chicago on July 10.

The QuickStart Assessment Center conducts immediate mental health and substance abuse assessments for the court. It's staffed by several Ventura County Behavioral Health Department clinicians.

The rapid assessments conducted by the center provide the judges with information to assist in making decisions regarding court orders, sanctions or incentives and enable the cases to progress more quickly. The onsite services provide defendants with the convenience of not having to travel to another location or take additional time off from work to attend an assessment at a future date.

The center is a collaborative effort between the Ventura Superior Court and Ventura County Behavioral Health Department. It's been in operation since Oct. 24, 2005.