NCJ Number
242313
Date Published
May 2013
Length
108 pages
Annotation
This report presents recommendations for the development of guidelines for family drug courts (FDCs), which address substance abuse and parenting within the child welfare system, focusing on abuse and neglect cases in the family dependency court.
Abstract
FDCs use a multi-disciplinary approach, recognizing that their clients (i.e., parents, children, and families that enter the FDC) often face a range of challenges in addition to a substance abuse disorder. The FDCs are characterized by strong judicial leadership combined with significant partnership efforts from child welfare and substance abuse treatment professionals. These three key partner agencies participate in planning, implementing, and assigning staff to an operational team that works in the FDC daily. After an introduction, the next two sections of this report describe the methods used to develop the 10 recommendations in the document and how to use the document. Each of the following 10 sections addresses 1 of the 10 recommendations. These sections explain each recommendation, summarize the research supporting it, and list effective strategies that States can use to assess their progress. One recommendation is to create a shared mission and vision. A second recommendation is to develop interagency partnerships. Third, create effective communication protocols for sharing information. Fourth, ensure cross-system knowledge. Fifth, develop an early identification and assessment process. Sixth, address the needs of parents. Seventh, address the needs of children. Eighth, garner community support. Ninth, implement funding and sustainability strategies. Tenth, evaluate shared outcomes to ensure accountability. Appended supplementary information on collaboration, facilitator's guide, research, and guidelines literature review