POLK COUNTY FAMILY DRUG COURT The Honorable Karla Fultz Todd Beveridge, M.S.W., M.S.
Background First Iowa Drug Court began in Polk County in 1996, followed by drug courts in four other counties These courts target convicted or admitted felons or misdemeanants who are drug dependent with no history of violence or weapon use
Background Iowa has one Family Drug Court (begun in November of 2002) and it is atypical of the drug court system All of the participants have been referred to the Court following adjudication of the children to the Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) program Not all participants are convicted or admitted felons and misdemeanants
Background Some of the women choose to participate to prevent termination of parental rights and others are involved as an effort to obtain custody of the child removed through the CINA program All of the women are court ordered after participation is mandated by provider
Background Begun as a pilot program The foundations of the program were the CINA children on the docket of Judge Karla Fultz (Polk County Juvenile Court) whose mothers resided in one of House of Mercy s residential treatment programs. No federal or state funding was used.
Background Current program participants include: House of Mercy clients (outpatients & residential). Polk County Juvenile Court Assistant County Attorney Department of Human Services Case Manager Attorneys representing the mothers & other advocates Clients of other treatment providers
Purpose To foster and facilitate communication and collaboration between families, providers, and attorneys to aid parents in reunification with their children
Requirements Parents with a Child in Need of Assistance Adjudication History of drug or alcohol problems as determined by a substance abuse evaluation resulting in a recommendation for treatment services at a minimum outpatient level of care
Requirements Child or children out of parental custody with reunification as the goal Referrals made by: Department of Human Resources; Treatment Providers; Attorney for children and parents; and Juvenile Court Judges
The Process The CINA system forms the basis of Family Drug Court and consists of the judge, county attorney, a guardian ad litem and attorney appointed for the child, the parents, an attorney for the parents, and child protective service worker with the Iowa Department of Human Services
The Process A removal hearing to determine the safety of the child and the need for the removal from the home An adjudication hearing where the state is required to prove that the child is in need of assistance within the meaning of one or more of the CINA statutory grounds
The Process A disposition hearing when the judge determines what service should be provided to the parent(s) to help them overcome whatever problems let to the need for adjudication and what service should be provide to the child A review hearing is held before the juvenile judge every six months so that the judge can review the progress of the parents, the condition of the child and the placement of the child (if the child was removed from the parents)
The Process Family Drug Court review hearings are held every Wednesday from 9:00 to 11:00 The purpose of the hearings is to facilitate the timely communication between the providers, families, attorneys, and the court Outpatient and residential treatment participants initially attend weekly with the frequency decreasing as progress is made
The Process The judge inquires into progress made and the need for additional and/or different services Personnel from House of Mercy, other providers and DHS are present to give information Attorneys for the children and parents are present and participate All women are present during the time that has been allotted for the review hearings
Key Program Elements Judicial oversight and coordination of services to promote accountability, communication, collaboration, and reduce duplication of effort Intensive supervision of participants Evidenced/Best Practice-Based substance abuse counseling services
Key Program Elements Non-adversarial approach Immediate response by the Court to the needs of the child and family Alcohol and drug testing Self-sufficiency emphasis and support Intensive parenting services and assistance Readily accessible child care support
Key Program Elements Strength-Based treatment approach Long term support with permanent housing option
Program Specifics Program capacity Duration 40 50 participants 12 24 months, focusing on recovery, parenting, education, job training & compliance with treatment provider & DHS court approved plans
Program Specifics Drugs of Choice Marijuana 18% Alcohol 6% Cocaine 11% Methamphetamine 71% (some participants abuse multiple drugs) Average Education at admission is 10 th grade. Average age at admission is 28 years old.
Outcomes Participation: Total of 116 families have participated or are participating. 32 families (27%) of color 22 families currently involved Reunification Rate: 82%
Outcomes Terminations have decreased: 50% Clean & sober at program completion: 82% Self-sufficiency involvement: Education Employment 95% 47% 48%