Amber Gregory on Texas Specialty Courts and Leadership

Justice Speaks Podcast #87

In this episode, Justice Speaks continues its series on state specialty court associations and the leaders who help guide their growth and effectiveness. This episode is sponsored by Reconnect and we are interviewing Ms. Amber Gregory, the Executive Director (ED) for the Texas Association of Specialty Courts.  

About Amber Gregory

Ms. Gregory is not only the ED for the Texas Association, she is also the Director of the Specialty Court Resource Center at Sam Houston State University. In her dual role, Ms. Gregory provides leadership to both the statewide association of professionals working in specialty courts and to the Resource Center that offers training, technical assistance, and program evaluations across the state. Together, these positions allow her to support judges, coordinators, and treatment court staff in strengthening their programs and ensuring they operate in line with best practice standards.

Texas Specialty Court Resource Center

Ms. Gregory began by explaining the structure of the Specialty Court Resource Center. The center, funded by the Governor’s Office, is designed to be a hub for training and technical assistance. One of its most important functions is conducting peer reviews of existing specialty courts. These reviews help ensure that programs are adhering to nationally recognized standards and allow for constructive feedback to improve operations. By grounding its work in research and collaboration, the center plays a critical role in enhancing the quality of treatment courts across Texas.

Texas Association of Specialty Courts

Alongside her work at the Resource Center, Ms. Gregory tells us that she is the Executive Director of the Texas Association of Specialty Courts. The association provides a professional home for individuals working in or supporting these courts. Its mission is to promote the effectiveness of specialty courts through education, training, and collaboration. Ms. Gregory emphasized the strong relationship between the association and Sam Houston State University. Meetings and retreats often take place on campus, which provides members with access to university resources and a supportive environment for professional development.

Ms Gregory explains that membership in the Texas Association of Specialty Courts is open to individuals who complete an application and pay a modest annual fee. At present, the cost is $40, though Ms. Gregory noted that it may increase to $50 in the near future. Many members choose to renew their memberships during the annual conference. 

Statewide Annual Conference for Texas Specialty Courts

Planning for the annual conference is one of the association’s major undertakings. Attendance has grown significantly over the years, reaching 550 participants in recent years. The conference brings together judges, coordinators, probation officers, treatment providers, and other professionals to share knowledge and best practices. Ms. Gregory tells us that the 2026 conference will be held in Dallas at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in March. She explained that planning begins well in advance to secure quality speakers, design relevant curricula, and ensure the event continues to provide value to participants.

State Association Milestones

Ms. Gregory also reflected on some of the key milestones and challenges specialty courts in Texas have faced. A major accomplishment came in 2019, with the passage of the mixed beverage tax, which directed additional funding toward specialty courts. This dedicated revenue stream has allowed for greater program stability and expansion. At the same time, challenges remain, particularly in the area of data collection and evaluation. Ms. Gregory pointed out that while many programs operate effectively, the absence of consistent statewide data makes it difficult to demonstrate outcomes in a systematic way. Encouragingly, Texas has approved funding for a new case management system that will provide courts with the tools to track performance and outcomes more effectively.

The conversation also explored Ms. Gregory’s personal journey into leadership. Having originally been involved with the association, she later transitioned to managing the Resource Center in Huntsville. She described the ways in which the two positions overlap and complement one another. As Executive Director, she provides vision and support to the association’s members. As Director of the Resource Center, she applies that vision by conducting assessments, leading peer reviews, and developing training curricula. She explained that she particularly enjoys the opportunity to work directly with courts during assessments, as these experiences inform the training and technical assistance provided at the annual conference.

Conclusion 

Throughout the discussion, Ms. Gregory emphasized the importance of continuous training and the willingness of specialty courts to adapt and evolve. Specialty courts, by design, are collaborative and innovative institutions. Maintaining their effectiveness requires ongoing professional development and a commitment to evidence-based practices. By bridging her roles at both the association and the Resource Center, Ms. Gregory ensures that Texas courts remain at the forefront of innovation and quality improvement.

We wish to thank Amber Gregory for sharing her insights and experiences on Justice Speaks. We also wish to thank Reconnect for sponsoring this podcast episode.

Related Episodes on Justice Speaks

• Colorado Specialty Courts: Building Statewide Support – Jess Throlson shares how Colorado strengthens specialty court programs through collaboration.
• Iowa Specialty Courts: Innovation and Leadership – Dawn Huddleston discusses new approaches shaping Iowa’s specialty courts.
• Kansas Specialty Courts: Challenges and Successes – Insights from Kansas on sustaining and expanding treatment courts statewide.
• North Dakota Specialty Courts: Growth and Development – A conversation on leadership, program development, and statewide coordination.