Butte County Family Treatment Court

Transcription

1 Introduction to Family Treatment Court Butte County Family Treatment Court A Comprehensive Team Approach to Substance Abuse Treatment in Semi-Rural Northern California The Butte County Family Treatment Court (FTC) Program is a collaborative program between: Juvenile Dependency Court Department t of Behavioral Health Alcohol and Drug Services Department of Employment and Social Services - Children s Services Division Defense Counsel and County Counsel Goal of the FTC Program The goal of the Butte County Family Treatment Court (FTC) Program is to achieve safe and timely family reunification, or other court-approved permanency outcomes, by providing immediate treatment and support for parental compliance with individualized substance abuse recovery plans. Eligibility A parent is eligible for Family Treatment Court if: Parent is a resident of Butte County and at least eighteen years of age; The parent s child is age five and under at the time of removal; The parent is not already involved in Adult Drug Court or Proposition 36 Court; Parent will not be incarcerated more than 45 days post-disposition; Substance abuse was a factor in the removal of the children, is an allegation in the petition, or is an issue at disposition; Parent attends the jurisdiction and disposition hearing; Parent does not posses a valid medical recommendation for medicinal marijuana; and Parent receives reunification services at the disposition hearing. 1

2 Process At the time of the detention of the child, the parent is referred for a Substance Abuse Assessment, at which time treatment options are discussed, including Family Treatment Court. If eligible, and if the parent chooses to participate in the FTC Program he/she is calendared for a Welcoming Hearing at a prescheduled FTC Court date. The parent will participate i in an initial i i assessment with a Peer Parent Mentor. The FTC case is calendared monthly in order to review the participating parent s compliance or non-compliance in the program. In order to be eligible for graduation, the parent will be required to appear in front the FTC Treatment Team and present information regarding their accomplishments, advances and aftercare plan. Butte County FTC Overview Program lasts approximately one year. FTC is comprised of three levels and after-care, including treatment and drug testing at all levels. FTC participants appear in Court on a monthly basis as well as participate in weekly Progress Groups. Parents participate in 16 weeks of parenting classes utilizing the Nurturing Parenting Programs curriculum, with an emphasis in Parenting in Recovery. Individualized in-home parent education is provided. Peer Parent Mentors work closely with parents and caregivers. Family activities are scheduled for parents, children and their caregivers. Compliance and Non-Compliance Significance of CAM (Children Affected by Methamphetamine) Grant Funding Incentives Level 1: Medallion Level 2: Encouragement Stone Level 3: Gift Card and Certificate Perfect Attendance (all levels): Candy Bar Homework 1 st Non-Compliance: Essay 2 nd Non-Compliance: Community Service and/or Increased Services 3 rd Non-Compliance: Termination from FTC Higher Level of Treatment New programs and positions to expand services to children and their caregivers with child centered and strength-based services designed to promote stability and permanency for families dealing with issues of substance abuse while participating in FTC. New Program Goals: Increasing caregivers appropriate developmental expectations for children; Increasing caregivers sensitive, consistent parenting; Reducing the rate of recurrence of child maltreatment; and Reducing the rate of re-entry into foster care. 2

3 Enhancements to FTC Program Enhanced Parent Support Services: Nurturing Parenting Programs curriculum is provided in both the classroom setting and in the home. Parents and children participate together for the last section of the class session. Classes are provided in the four main topic areas: Honoring Yourself Honoring Your Children Honoring Your Family Honoring Your Recovery Caretakers: Education is provided in the initial training and through monthly educational and support groups and family group events. Enhancements to FTC Program Early Developmental Screening: All children in the project receive a developmental and socialemotional screening using the Ages and Stages screening tools Safety Organized Practice has been introduced utilizing Signs of Safety skills and techniques. The objectives include engaging families to create a careful, thoughtful and lasting plan to ensure that children are safe over time. Enhancements to FTC Program Peer Parent Mentors: Provide educational support to the child s foster or kin care provider regarding the process of recovery, as well as providing advocacy to the parents as they participate in the FTC Program. Additionally, Peer Parent Mentors: Participate in weekly Progress Groups; Assist in co-facilitating FTC groups; Provide support and advocacy to current participants in their recovery and in the Court process; and Facilitate an Alumni Group for FTC graduates. Enhancements to FTC Program The Butte County FTC program began in July Since CAM Grant enhancements were implemented starting in April 2011: 33 families have participated i in FTC (44 adults and 57 children); 11 families have graduated from FTC, with several more families close to completing their requirements in order to graduate. 3

4 Challenges Participation in FTC is voluntary, so engaging parents can be difficult when they are new in their recovery due to demanding schedule and program requirements. Limited treatment options and resources, including transportation and affordable housing for participants. Challenge in trying to reunify children as soon as it is safe to do so, while providing sufficient treatment and support for parents so that children do not re-enter foster care system. Successes! Multi-agency family-centered team approach and collaboration for the family; Individualized treatment plan for parents; Monthly Court check in and Judicial support; Support and advocacy provided dby Peer Parent Mentors; Weekly Progress Groups with the team and participants; Safety Organized Practice with families; and Nurturing Parenting in Recovery skills taught both in the classroom setting and in the home. Work Cited US Census Bureau Butte County Children s Services Data 4

5 FMJ - Multi - County Program THE PROMISE OF FAMILY DEPENDENCY TREATMENT COURT Beverly C. Snow, LSW RETIRED FMJ Multi-County t ASAC & FDTC Coordinator Wabasha, Minnesota (507) [email protected] Phase Choice Phase Challenge Phase Change Phase Commencement (graduation) Objectives: Begin abstinence and chemical dependency treatment, develop trigger awareness, and identify the outside support system. Requirements: 1 -Obtain a chemical dependency evaluation and follow recommendations. This may include: in-patient chemical dependency treatment, out-patient chemical dependency treatment, halfway house or sober housing, recovery school and mental health screening. 2 -Psychological assessment (as required). 3 -Psychiatric evaluation (as required). 4 -Assessment of parenting skills (as required). 5 -Assessment/referral for other services (as required). 6 -Assessment of children s needs. 7 -Assess permanency needs (as necessary). 8 -Initial plan to stabilize lifestyle, housing, and employment, family assessment, 9 - Mental health screening. 10 -Attend and observe weekly FDTC Court Hearings. 11 -Attend sobriety support groups as required. 12 -Meet with Recovery Specialist at least twice a week. 13 -Follow all recommendations of chemical dependency treatment provider. 14 -Adhere to house arrest / scheduled curfew. 15 -Complete Pro-social Activities as directed. 16 -Full time school/employment or positive response to educational/vocational goals. 17 -Complete a minimum of three drug tests a week. 1

6 No positive urinalysis results for 15 consecutive days prior to advancement. Weekly court appearance. Progress with service plan goals Compliance with Court order. Visitation with children (consistency & appropriateness) p Cooperate with recovery specialist. No unexcused absences for scheduled services for 15 consecutive days. Full time school/employment or positive response to educational/vocational goals. Completion of goals for Phase I. Begin Primary Treatment. Objectives: Continued abstinence, establishment of recovery and development of educational and/or vocational goals. Requirements: 1- Attend and observe three out of four FDTC Court Hearings as scheduled. 2- Meet with Recovery Specialist at least once a week; as required 3- Continued abstinence. 4- Development of recovery tools/relapse plan 5- Progress towards stabilizing lifestyle, housing and employment 6- Follow all recommendations of CD treatment provider. 7- Attend sobriety support groups as required. 8- Adhere to a less restrictive curfew. 9- Complete all pro-social activities as recommended by the team. 10- Full time school/employment or positive response to education/vocational goals, development of education and/or vocational plans and assessment of job readiness 11- Improved parenting skills (if applicable) 12- Improved interaction with children (if applicable) 13- Continue or begin other services as recommended (e.g., individual therapy 14- Complete a minimum of two drug test a week. 15- Assess reunification (if necessary). No positive urinalysis results for 90 consecutive days prior to advancement No unexcused absences for scheduled services for 90 consecutive days Full time school/employment or positive response to educational/vocational goals Completion of goals for Phase II Visitation with children (consistency & appropriateness) 2

7 Objectives: Continue abstinence, pursuit of education and/or vocation goals, and connection with community at large. Requirements: 1- Attend and observe two FDTC Court Hearings a month 2- Meet with Recovery Specialist at least twice monthly 3- Follow all recommendations of CD treatment provider. 4- Attend sobriety support groups as required. 5- Provide Recovery Specialist with the address and phone number of your whereabouts & who you will be with whenever you re away from home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. or as determined by Recovery Specialist. 6- Complete all pro-social activities as recommended by the team. 7- Continued abstinence. 8- Practicing recovery tools. 9- Relapse plan clearly defined. 10- Completion of aftercare plan with treatment/counselor. 11- Stable parenting skills. 12- Increased visitation with children (if applicable). 13- Improved interaction with children (if applicable). 14- Reunification/permanency. 15- Participation in Volunteer Project: This involves volunteer work at a non-profit agency arranged by the participant and approved by your case manager. The number of hours to be determined. 16- Participation in pro-social activities as recommended by the team. 17- Full time school/employment or positive response to education/vocational goals. Objectives: Continued abstinence, pursuit of commencement from FDTC, and strong connection with community at large. Requirements: 1- Attended and observe one FDTC Review Hearing per month as scheduled. 2- Complete a minimum of one drug test a month 3- Continued abstinence and recovery 4- Meet with Recovery Specialist at least once a month 5- Follow all recommendations from CD treatment provider. 6- Participation in aftercare plan. 7- Established relapse plan. 8- Attend sobriety support groups as required. 9- Provide Recovery Specialist with the address and phone number of your whereabouts whenever you are away from home between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. 10- Complete all pro-social activities as recommended by the team. 11- Participation in Volunteer Project: This involves volunteer work at a non-profit agency arranged by the participant and approved by your Recovery Specialist. The number of required hours to be determined. 12- A minimum of two pro-social activities monthly as approved by team. 13- Continue full time school/employment or positive response to educational/vocational goals. 14- Housing secured. 15- Stable parenting skills. 16- Improved interaction with children (if applicable). 3

8 FMJ Multi-County FDTC A person never graduates in recovery, they have commenced to another stage of recovery When the participant has successfully completed the following, they will be scheduled for commencement. Successful completion of each phase. 8 months of sobriety abstaining from ALL mood-altering chemicals. Submit an aftercare plan to FDTC Court Judge, stating how they intend to maintain their sobriety after commencement. Continue educational/employment goals. Housing secured and approved Relapse Management Plan established Completion of Volunteer Project. Completion or satisfactory achievement of all court ordered special conditions, as determined by the court. Fines/fees paid in full or current. Beyond Vision Toward Reality! Work Cited Fulton Hora, P. (2006). Family Dependency Treatment Courts in the United States. Snow, B. (2010). Consequences of Behavior. Snow, B. (2010). Family Dependency Treatment Court. Snow, B. (2010). FDTC Participant Handbook. Snow, B. (2010). FMJ FDTC Multi-County Policy and Standards. Snow, B. (2010). Goals and Objectives. Snow, B. (2010). The Promise of FMJ Multi-County Drug Court FDTC. Snow, B. (2010). What is Family Dependency Treatment Court. Snow, B. (2010) (4) Family Dependency Treatment Court Standards. 4