What is Family Recovery Court?
Family Recovery Court is an intensive 4 -phase court treatment program for parents who are having a hard time staying clean and sober. Recovery Court does not follow the traditional court process. In normal courtroom settings, the Prosecutor and the Defense Attorney argue different sides of an issue. In Recovery Court, the Judge/Magistrate, Prosecutor and Defense Attorney work with treatment providers and Franklin County Children Services to help you meet the goals of your treatment plan so that you can stay clean, stay out of trouble, and work towards permanency planning/reunification with your child(ren). Your progression through the specialized docket is based upon your performance in the treatment plan and compliance with the phases of the program. Again, Your success in the program depends on you, your motivation level and the positive changes you make in your life will determine how long you remain in the program.
The Mission of the Franklin County Family Recovery Court Program
The mission of the Franklin County Family Recovery Court is to provide collaborative evaluation and treatment services for substance dependent parents who have lost or are at risk of losing custody of their children due to abuse, neglect, or dependency. These intensive services will be provided with the expectation that the parents will eliminate substance abuse and will address mental health resulting in a more fully functioning parent, which facilitates case plan compliance and expedited permanency.
The Goals of the Franklin County Family Recovery Court Program
- To have Recovery Court participants comply with Court orders.
- To help parents increase their days of sobriety.
- To increase the number of participants who complete treatment.
- To help parents increase their time with their children.
- To prevent the removal of children from a parent's custody by parental participation in Family Recovery Court.
- To reduce the time children spend placed outside of their homes.
- To decrease the amount of time it takes for reunification with a parent.
- To increase the number of participants who accomplish Case Plan objectives.
- To improve the mental health status of parents in the program.
- To reduce recidivism.
- To assist participants in obtaining stable housing.
- To assist participants in obtaining health insurance.
- To increase the number of participants with legal income.
- To have participants graduate from Family Recovery Court.
“Family Recovery Court saved my life. They picked me up when I fell, dusted me off and are running with me until I finish the race” – Jessica
“Recovery Court is the best thing that has happened to me in my life and has helped give me new direction.” - George
“Recovery Court has helped give me the confidence in myself to set goals for my life.” - B
“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson