Butte County Family Treatment Court

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Butte County

Family Treatment Court

A Comprehensive Team Approach to

Substance Abuse Treatment in

Semi-Rural Northern California

Introduction to Family Treatment Court

The Butte County Family Treatment Court (FTC) Program is

a collaborative program between:



Juvenile Dependency Court

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Department of Behavioral Health

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Alcohol and Drug Services

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Department of Employment and Social Services - Children’s

Services Division

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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

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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;

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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

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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.

Th ill i i i i i i l i h P P M

 The parent will participate in an initial 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.

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FTC is comprised of three levels and after-care, including treatment

and drug testing at all levels.

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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.

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Individualized in-home parent education is provided.

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Peer Parent Mentors work closely with parents and caregivers.

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Family activities are scheduled for parents, children and their

caregivers.

Compliance and Non-Compliance

Incentives



Level 1: Medallion

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Level 2: Encouragement

Stone

Homework

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1

st

_{Non-Compliance:}

Essay

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2

nd

_{Non-Compliance:}

C

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S

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Level 3: Gift Card and

Certificate

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Perfect Attendance (all

levels): Candy Bar

Community Service

and/or Increased Services

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3

rd

_{Non-Compliance:}

Termination from FTC –

Higher Level of Treatment

Significance of CAM (Children Affected by

Methamphetamine) Grant Funding

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;

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Increasing caregivers’ sensitive, consistent parenting;

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Reducing the rate of recurrence of child maltreatment; and

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Reducing the rate of re-entry into foster care.

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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:

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

Honoring Yourself

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Honoring Your Children

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Honoring Your Family

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Honoring Your Recovery

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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

social-emotional screening using the Ages and Stages

screening tools

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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

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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:

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Participate in weekly Progress Groups;

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Assist in co-facilitating FTC groups;

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Provide support and advocacy to current participants

in their recovery and in the Court process; and

Enhancements to FTC Program

The Butte County FTC program began in July 2007.

Since CAM Grant enhancements were

implemented starting in April 2011:

33 f

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d i FTC

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33 families have participated in FTC

(44 adults and 57 children);

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11 families have graduated from FTC, with

several more families close to completing their

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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.

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Limited treatment options and resources including

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Limited treatment options and resources, including

transportation and affordable housing for participants.

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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;

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Individualized treatment plan for parents;

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Monthly Court check in and Judicial support;

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Support and advocacy provided by Peer Parent Mentors;

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Weekly Progress Groups with the team and participants;

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Safety Organized Practice with families; and

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Nurturing Parenting in Recovery skills taught both in the

classroom setting and in the home.

Work Cited



US Census Bureau



http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov

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THE PROMISE

OF

FAMILY DEPENDENCY TREATMENT COURT

Beverly C. Snow, LSW RETIRED FMJ M lti C t ASAC & FDTC C di t RETIRED FMJ Multi-County ASAC & FDTC Coordinator

Wabasha, Minnesota (507) 753-2265 snowb@kmwb.net

Phase 1

Phase 1 ---

--- Choice

Choice

Phase 2

Phase 2 ---

--- Challenge

Challenge

Ph

3 Ph

3 Ch

Ch

FMJ - Multi - County Program

Phase 3

Phase 3 ---

--- Change

Change

Phase 4

Phase 4 ---

--- Commencement

Commencement (graduation)

(graduation)

Objectives:

Objectives: Begin abstinence and chemical

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Begin abstinence and chemical

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dependency treatment, develop trigger

awareness, and identify the outside support

system.

Requirements:

1

1 --Obtain a chemical dependency evaluation and follow recommendations. This may Obtain a chemical dependency evaluation and follow recommendations. This may include: in

include: in--patient chemical dependency treatment, outpatient chemical dependency treatment, out--patient chemical dependency patient chemical dependency treatment, halfway house or sober housing, recovery school and mental health screening. treatment, halfway house or sober housing, recovery school and mental health screening. 2

2 --Psychological assessment (as required).Psychological assessment (as required). 3

3 --Psychiatric evaluation (as required).Psychiatric evaluation (as required). 4

4 --Assessment of parenting skills (as required).Assessment of parenting skills (as required). 55 --Assessment/referral for other services (as required)Assessment/referral for other services (as required) 5

5 Assessment/referral for other services (as required).Assessment/referral for other services (as required). 6

6 --Assessment of children’s needs.Assessment of children’s needs. 7

7 --Assess permanency needs (as necessary).Assess permanency needs (as necessary). 8

8 --Initial plan to stabilize lifestyle, housing, and employment, family assessment,Initial plan to stabilize lifestyle, housing, and employment, family assessment, 9

9 -- Mental health screening.Mental health screening. 10

10 --Attend and Attend and observeobserve weeklyweekly FDTC Court Hearings. FDTC Court Hearings. 11

11 --Attend sobriety support groups as required.Attend sobriety support groups as required. 12

12 --Meet with Recovery Specialist at least twice a week.Meet with Recovery Specialist at least twice a week. 13

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

No positive urinalysis results for 15 consecutive days

prior to advancement.

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Weekly court appearance.



Progress with service plan goals

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Compliance with Court order.

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Visitation with children (consistency & appropriateness)

(

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)

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Cooperate with recovery specialist.

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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:

Objectives: Continued abstinence,

Continued abstinence,

Objectives:

Objectives: Continued abstinence,

Continued abstinence,

establishment of recovery and development

of educational and/or vocational goals.

Requirements:

11-- Attend and Attend and observe three out of four observe three out of four FDTC Court Hearings as scheduled.FDTC Court Hearings as scheduled. 22-- Meet with Recovery Specialist at least once a week; as required Meet with Recovery Specialist at least once a week; as required 33-- Continued abstinence. Continued abstinence.

44-- Development of recovery tools/relapse plan Development of recovery tools/relapse plan pp yy // pp pp

55-- Progress towards stabilizing lifestyle, housing and employmentProgress towards stabilizing lifestyle, housing and employment 66-- Follow all recommendations of CD treatment provider.Follow all recommendations of CD treatment provider. 77-- Attend sobriety support groups as required.Attend sobriety support groups as required. 88-- Adhere to a less restrictive curfew.Adhere to a less restrictive curfew.

99-- Complete all proComplete all pro--social activities as recommended by the team. social activities as recommended by the team. 10

10-- Full time school/employment or positive response to education/vocational goals, Full time school/employment or positive response to education/vocational goals, development of education and/or vocational plans and assessment of job readiness development of education and/or vocational plans and assessment of job readiness 11

11-- Improved parenting skills (if applicable)Improved parenting skills (if applicable) 12

12-- Improved interaction with children (if applicable)Improved interaction with children (if applicable) 13

13-- Continue or begin other services as recommended (e.g., individual therapyContinue or begin other services as recommended (e.g., individual therapy 14

14-- Complete a minimum of two drug test a week.Complete a minimum of two drug test a week. 15

15-- Assess reunification (if necessary).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)

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Objectives:

Objectives: Continue abstinence, pursuit of

Continue abstinence, pursuit of

education and/or vocation goals, and

connection with community at large.

Requirements:

11-- Attend and Attend and observe twoobserve two FDTC Court Hearings a month FDTC Court Hearings a month 22-- Meet with Recovery Specialist at least twice monthly Meet with Recovery Specialist at least twice monthly 33-- Follow all recommendations of CD treatment provider.Follow all recommendations of CD treatment provider. 44-- Attend sobriety support groups as required.Attend sobriety support groups as required.

55-- Provide Recovery Specialist with the address and phone number of your whereabouts & 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 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.

as determined by Recovery Specialist.

66-- Complete all proComplete all pro--social activities as recommended by the team.social activities as recommended by the team. 77-- Continued abstinence.Continued abstinence.

88-- Practicing recovery tools.Practicing recovery tools. 99-- Relapse plan clearly defined.Relapse plan clearly defined. 10

10-- Completion of aftercare plan with treatment/counselor.Completion of aftercare plan with treatment/counselor. 11

11-- Stable parenting skills.Stable parenting skills. 12

12-- Increased visitation with children (if applicable).Increased visitation with children (if applicable). 13

13-- Improved interaction with children (if applicable).Improved interaction with children (if applicable). 14

14-- Reunification/permanency.Reunification/permanency. 15

15-- Participation in Volunteer Project: This involves volunteer work at a nonParticipation in Volunteer Project: This involves volunteer work at a non--profit agency profit agency arranged by the participant and approved by your case manager. The number of arranged by the participant and approved by your case manager. The number of hours to be determined.

hours to be determined. 16

16-- Participation in proParticipation in pro--social activities as recommended by the team.social activities as recommended by the team. 17

17-- Full time school/employment or positive response to education/vocational goals.Full time school/employment or positive response to education/vocational goals.

Objectives:

Objectives: Continued abstinence pursuit of

Continued abstinence pursuit of

Objectives:

Objectives: Continued abstinence, pursuit of

Continued abstinence, pursuit of

commencement from FDTC, and strong

connection with community at large.

Requirements:

11-- Attended and Attended and observe oneobserve one FDTC Review Hearing per month as scheduled.FDTC Review Hearing per month as scheduled. 22-- Complete a minimum of one drug test a month Complete a minimum of one drug test a month

33-- Continued abstinence and recoveryContinued abstinence and recovery

44-- Meet with Recovery Specialist at least once a monthMeet with Recovery Specialist at least once a month 55-- Follow all recommendations from CD treatment provider. Follow all recommendations from CD treatment provider. 66-- Participation in aftercare plan.Participation in aftercare plan.

77-- Established relapse planEstablished relapse plan 77 Established relapse plan.Established relapse plan.

88-- Attend sobriety support groups as required.Attend sobriety support groups as required.

99-- Provide Recovery Specialist with the address and phone number of your whereabouts 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.

whenever you are away from home between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. 10

10-- Complete all proComplete all pro--social activities as recommended by the team.social activities as recommended by the team. 11

11-- Participation in Volunteer Project: This involves volunteer work at a nonParticipation in Volunteer Project: This involves volunteer work at a non--profit agency profit agency arranged by the participant and approved by your Recovery Specialist. The arranged by the participant and approved by your Recovery Specialist. The number of required hours to be determined.

number of required hours to be determined. 12

12-- A minimum of two proA minimum of two pro--social activities monthly as approved by team.social activities monthly as approved by team. 13

13-- Continue full time school/employment or positive response to Continue full time school/employment or positive response to educational/vocational goals.

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“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.Successful completion of each phase.pp pp 

 8 months of sobriety 8 months of sobriety –– abstaining from ALL moodabstaining from ALL mood--altering chemicals.altering chemicals. 

 Submit an aftercare plan to FDTC Court Judge, stating how they intend to Submit an aftercare plan to FDTC Court Judge, stating how they intend to maintain their sobriety after commencement.

maintain their sobriety after commencement. 

 Continue educational/employment goals.Continue educational/employment goals. 

 Housing secured and approvedHousing secured and approved 

 Relapse Management Plan establishedRelapse Management Plan established 

 Completion of Volunteer Project.Completion of Volunteer Project. 

 Completion or satisfactory achievement of all court ordered special Completion or satisfactory achievement of all court ordered special conditions, as determined by the court.