Dallas County Court Services was recently honored by the Administrative Office of Courts of Alabama for the difference the office makes in the community.

The office received the George Ferguson Memorial Award, which is given for demonstrating excellence in services offered to assist and restore people who are involved in the criminal justice system with alcohol or drug abuse.

The award is named after Ferguson because he was one of the original four court referral officers when the state started to develop its CRO program. Ferguson helped the program grow from four to more than 100 CROs.

The Dallas County Court Services office received the award on Oct. 22 at the annual Court Referral, Community Correction and Drug Court Joint Conference.

“I am so proud of the great work that Dallas County Court Services is doing in the community to reduce the negative impact of substance abuse in our community, said District Judge Robert Armstrong. “They are making a substantial impact for good in Dallas County.”

Miah Jackson, director of Dallas County Court Services, said the award was an honor and humbling.

“While we have been able to impact many individuals and families, the necessity for continued services is forever prevalent,“ Jackson said.

“We have begun to repair and restore families one at a time, and we will continue to provide these much needed services until all families who have been negatively impacted by alcohol and/or drugs are made whole.”

The Dallas County office was nominated for making a difference in families’ lives.

“Through collaboration with programs within the community, DHR and various treatment and mental health providers, the Dallas County Court Services team has improved the health and well-being of the families they’ve served,” the office’s nomination read.

Dallas County Court Services, which was established in 2009, offers substance abuse treatment, mental health services, parenting classes, tutoring and counseling services for clients’ children, medical referrals, transportation and housing assistance and other services to reunite families and keep them together.