Effects of Family Treatment Drug Court on Reunification of Families Involved with Child Protection
Date of Award
It is estimated 75% of families involved with child protection whose children are removed from the home due to safety or neglect concerns are experiencing substance abuse issues (Young, Gardner, & Dennis, 1998; Brook & McDonald, 2009). In the absence of egregious harm, family reunification is the primary goal of the judicial system and child protection agency. Parents who struggle with substance use often require professional treatment and are more likely be reunified with their children upon successful completion of recommended treatment. Family treatment drug court is a relatively new model, based on the drug court model used to address substance use for adult criminal offenders. Family treatment drug court model provides frequent drug and alcohol testing, supervised visitation with children, regular court hearings, case management, and substance abuse treatment (Cosden & Koch, 2015). With intensive, coordinated services provided in a timely manner, families are provided with interventions and supports necessary to increase the likelihood of reunification.
Meiners, Carrie, "Effects of Family Treatment Drug Court on Reunification of Families Involved with Child Protection" (2019). Counselor Education Capstones. 94.