Behavioral Health Court Graduation

On November 14th, Behavioral Health Court celebrated the success of 29 graduates with a ceremony and reception at the Civic Center Courthouse. Beginning with a motivational welcome address by Mayor Gavin Newsom and inspirational comments by Public Defender Jeff Adachi and Assistant Chief District Attorney Russ Giuntini, the BHC Team honored the 2007 graduating class, acknowledging their hard work and how far they had come from their first day in court to this graduation day.

(Left to Right) Lisa Lightman, Director of Collaborative Courts Mayor Gavin Newsom, and Julian Potter, Mayor Newsom's Public Policy Director, look on as a BHC graduate delivers his keynote speech.

After two graduates stood in front of the large crowd and shared their personal stories, Judge Morgan and the BHC team presented each graduate with a certificate of achievement and rose to honor their journey. Finally, one special member of the SFPD was honored for his dedication and service to a current client in BHC. The first annual BHC Award for Outstanding Service was presented to Officer Apodaca, who has attended almost every BHC hearing for the client he had once arrested. BHC wanted to recognize Officer Apodaca's commitment to mental health advocacy and his integral role in this BHC client's community support.

(Left to Right) Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval, District 11; Officer Michelangelo Apodaca, Chief's Office-Public Affairs; Chief of Police, Heather J. Fong; and, Commander Stephen Tacchini, Field Operations Bureau

Congratulations, 2007 Graduates of Behavioral Health Court!