Drug Court Program: Family Dependency Treatment Court

Mission

To work with Families in crisis as a result of their substance use and dependence and to do this in a non-threatening, helping environment.

Purpose

To provide parents and caregivers with the opportunity to engage in substance abuse treatment with the goal of reunification with their children and assume the full responsibilities of parenthood in a safe and healthy environment.

Program Description

The Family Dependency Treatment Court Program is a result of the need for a specialized court to work closely with parents/caregivers of children whose lives have been impacted by substance abuse or dependence. The participants in this treatment court are required to attend substance abuse treatment. It is through this treatment that the participant will receive every opportunity to be successful in their goal of reunification with their children. This court also ensures that the participant is compliant with all areas of the case plan designed by Hillsborough Kids Inc. The Program provides intensive assessment, court case managers and a team of professionals working together to support the parents/caregivers in achieving their goals of successfully completing their Case Plan and reunification.

Program requirements include but are not limited to:

• Compliance with all contractual requirements and sanctions
• Abstinence from use of drugs and alcohol
• Successful completion of a substance abuse treatment program and Case Plan

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Must be a new petition
2. Must have substance abuse issues identified in the investigative report
3. Must have no past history of violent criminal offenses
4. Must not be alleged sexual perpetrators
5. If there were previous Termination of Parental Rights, the participant must be offered a new case plan.
6. Must acknowledge need for substance abuse treatment
7. Must be willing to participate in the Family Dependency Treatment Court Program
8. Must be willing to detoxification from methadone if currently involved in Methadone Maintenance
9. Must not have an advanced terminal illness
10. Must not have a serious/unstable mental illness or be incompetent
11. Must be approved by the Dependency Treatment Court Judge
12. Must have reunification as a goal

Process:

1. After the disposition of the case the participant is scheduled for an intake in the treatment court. It is at that time the participant will encounter the judge for the first time. If the judge feels the family is appropriate and meets all eligibility criteria the case will be followed in this division.
2. The participant receives an evaluation from the appropriate treatment provider and the recommendations are incorporated in their HKI case plan.
3. Submit to random substance abuse tests
4. Attend required meetings, counseling sessions, and other sanctions/tasks identified in case Plan (i.e., ability to maintain employment, ability to maintain housing, and maintaining consistent visitations with child(ren)
5. Maintain contact with FDTC specialist for content of regular court progress reports
6. Attend regular court appearances
7. Complete treatment program and Case Plan
8. Reunification with child(ren)

Court Counselor/Case Manager provides the following services:

• Complete a screening/assessment
• Give referrals to treatment and handle follow-ups
• Act as a link for the parent(s) between the treatment provider and the Court
• Be available for crisis counseling
• Work to engage the parent(s) throughout the process
• Act as an advocate for the parent(s)