“I am excited to start these programs” said Judge Mary Welker. “We are seeing multiple generations in a family involved with both Child in Need of Services (welfare) cases, along with criminal and substance abuse issues contributing to children being involved in the court systems. The programs we are setting up address not only the children’s issues and the parents’ issues but integrates those services so that all family members can contribute to building a stronger and more appropriate family system.”
The local courts have frequently served as a “revolving door” for those who consistently encounter the justice system. Problem Solving Courts (which include Family Treatment Courts and Veterans Treatment Courts) work effectively to link participants with resources to help them with challenges that include sobriety and mental health. Family Treatment Courts are also designed to address challenges that interfere with healthy parent-child relationships in a timely manner.
Grant funding will be used to support a coordinator for the program, training support; funding for additional programs; drug screenings, and educational components to further develop and implement a Family Treatment Court. Dr. Natalie Tucker served as the coordinator and program developer for this program during the research phase, and will continue in this role. She has experience in court program development due to her work with the Pulaski County Veterans Treatment Court in Superior Court and the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) through Pulaski Circuit Court which has been very successful in Pulaski County.
The families involved in this court program will include families who have abuse, neglect, or dependency cases that are pending before the court and contributing factors such as criminal behavior and substance abuse disorder.
“Being able to further develop and implement a Family Treatment Court will address local needs of families in our community that are battling substance abuse and have numerous barriers to treatment and family compliance,” said Dr. Tucker. “There has been a tremendous amount of work put into developing this highly intensive program. We want to help families and children to get the service and supports they need while also reducing recidivism rates.”
The goal is to have temporary operational certification by this fall or early winter so that the program can be up and running by the end of the year.
