LAWRENCEVILLE — The Gwinnett County Mental Health Court team was recently recognized for its leadership, service and dedication to rehabilitation during the annual Council of Accountability Court Judges (CACJ) Conference held in Athens.
Defense attorney Rick Stepp and probation officer Davi Clyne each received Accountability Court STAR Awards, which honor individuals across Georgia who go above and beyond in their roles within accountability courts. The awards highlight professionals who demonstrate teamwork, positivity, adaptability and a lasting contribution to their court’s success.
Danielle Carico, the county’s Community and Connection Services director, received the prestigious Judge Stephen S. Goss Mental Health Award, the highest statewide honor for mental health court professionals. Presented annually, the award recognizes one individual whose work exemplifies dedication to mental health court participants, advocacy for awareness and measurable impact within their community.
Carico was recognized for her leadership and tireless commitment to promoting recovery-based solutions within the justice system. Her work has helped build strong partnerships connecting court participants to treatment, housing and employment resources—support that continues long after they leave the courtroom. Her influence extends beyond Gwinnett County, as she mentors other accountability court teams and shares best practices across the state.
The award honors the legacy of the late Judge Stephen S. Goss, who established one of Georgia’s first mental health courts in Dougherty County in 2002. His groundbreaking approach—centered on treatment, accountability and compassion—became a model for courts nationwide.
The CACJ oversees Georgia’s network of accountability courts, including drug, DUI, mental health and veterans courts, which provide treatment-based alternatives for individuals working toward recovery and stability. Each year, the CACJ conference brings together hundreds of professionals for training, collaboration and recognition of outstanding service.
“Accountability courts play a vital role in transforming lives by providing tailored support and fostering recovery within our community,” said Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Kim Gallant. “The recognition of our Mental Health Court team highlights both their dedication and the team’s collective commitment to justice, compassion and positive change.”
Judge Gallant, elected to the Superior Court in 2024, began her term this year following nearly a decade as a Magistrate Court judge. With experience spanning multiple levels of the court system, Gallant has long been a strong advocate for treatment-focused approaches that emphasize rehabilitation over incarceration for individuals facing mental health or substance use challenges.
The Gwinnett County Mental Health Court, designed to reduce recidivism and improve public safety, offers participants individualized treatment plans and intensive supervision. Through partnerships with local agencies, service providers and community organizations, the court helps connect participants to counseling, medication management, job training and housing assistance—key components for lasting recovery and stability.
Nominees for CACJ awards must have at least three years of experience in a mental health court and demonstrate a measurable, positive impact on participants’ lives while promoting mental health awareness in their communities.
The recognition of Gwinnett County’s Mental Health Court team underscores the continued success of Georgia’s accountability court system, which focuses on recovery and reintegration rather than punishment—improving lives, reducing jail overcrowding and saving taxpayer dollars in the process.
