MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Family Drug Court is, through a collaborative effort, to ensure children have a safe and nurturing environment by focusing on healthy and sober parenting and permanency planning through family reunification. The Family Drug Court Team features collaboration between the Court, Social Services, substance abuse treatment providers and community support agencies.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

• Encourage ongoing compliance with drug and/or alcohol treatment;
• Aid participants to maintain sobriety;
• Ensure reunification;
• Avoid further involvement in the child welfare or family court system;
• Help the parent\parents become emotionally, financially, and personally self-sufficient; and
• Develop parenting and "coping" skills adequate for serving as an effective parent on a day-to-day basis.

OVERVIEW

Family drug courts provide immediate intervention in the lives of children whose parents use drugs, or are exposed to substance addiction by other family members. Family drug courts also provide structure for the participants through the ongoing, active involvement and oversight of the Family Drug Court Judge.

The rigorous monitoring of participants, along with the treatment and rehabilitation requirements imposed, promotes a far greater likelihood of success in reducing drug use and criminal activity than can be achieved through the traditional court process.

A person is eligible to participate in family drug court if he/she is a party to a case that may include: custody and visitation disputes; abuse, neglect, and dependency matters; petitions to terminate parental rights; guardianship proceedings; and other loss, restriction, or limitation of parental rights.

The length of a client’s\defendant’s participation in the Family Drug Court depends on participation and progress of the client with the Court, as well as the recommendation of the treatment provider. Some clients will require inpatient treatment. The costs of the program are incurred by the clients\defendants and with the help of Specialty Court funds. Clients\defendants must maintain a drug fee lifestyle to reunify with children.

The following is required from each client during their placement in the program:

• Urine testing on a random basis for a minimum of 2-5 times a week;
• Counseling on a weekly basis;
• Regular attendance at self-help meetings (AA\NA);
• Maintaining employment;
• Obtaining a GED/high school diploma; or other higher education;
• Attending Court on a regular basis;
• Paying their Court fees; and
• Following curfew rules.

If a client does not comply with the rules of Family Drug Court, the following sanctions may be imposed:

• Verbal warnings;
• Essays or letters;
• Community service;
• Jail time;
• Additional court dates;
• Counseling;
• Returning to an earlier phase;
• Additional drug testing;
• Limited contact with children.