Resources on this page include State and local examples indicating the need for collaboration between substance use, child welfare, and family/dependency drug courts.
California FIRST: Families in Recovery Staying Together: Project Summary (PDF - 490 KB)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (2012)
Describes the activities and outcomes of the California FIRST initiative, a project designed to define the threshold combination and timing of interventions, supervision, and supports necessary in each of California's 58 counties to achieve the positive outcomes for families that have substance abuse disorders as a primary barrier to reunification. Findings from site visits are also shared and next steps for dependency drug courts (DDCs) are discussed.
Dependency Drug Court: An Intensive Intervention for Traumatized Mothers and Young Children
Cohen, Dakof, & Duarte (2011)
View Abstract
Discusses the benefits of DDCs that offer intensive and integrated multidisciplinary services aimed at addressing the dual problems of child maltreatment and maternal addiction. It provides the Miami-Dade Dependency Drug Court, the incorporation of the Engaging Moms Program, and the work of the dependency court judge. A case illustration is provided.
An Evaluation of the Palm Beach County Family Drug Court (PDF - 3,145 KB)
Pesta, Bales, Blomberg, & Mestre (2013)
Florida State University Center for Criminology and Public Policy Research.
Documents a process and outcome evaluation of the federally funded Palm Beach County Family Drug Court (FDC) which involved an assessment of the extent to which the FDC has been implemented as intended and has provided services to participants in a manner consistent with its objectives. The evaluation identified policies and operational practices of the program which have impacted the degree to which the objectives have been implemented. Recommendations for the Palm Beach County FDC are discussed.
Exploring a Possible Mismatch between Child Welfare and Family Preservation Court (FPC) Timelines
Matysiak (2011)
View Abstract
Evaluates Santa Cruz County Family Preservation Court (FPC), a dependency drug court for families concurrently involved in substance abuse treatment and child welfare services for possible systemic discrepancies in timelines for family unification and for treatment services.
Family Dependency Treatment Court Standards for Accountability Courts (PDF -1,924KB)
Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts (2013)
Presents standards that provide a general framework of common principles, policies, and practices for family drug courts in the State of Georgia.
Family Drug Court: Judicial Script: A Technical Assistance Tool Adapted From the Santa Clara Family Wellness Court (PDF - 318 KB)
Yew & Pach (2013)
Santa Clara County Family Wellness Court for Infants and Toddlers (2013)
Offers family drug court (FDC) judicial officers a guide to talk with parents about substance use issues and recovery; scripts for engagement and retention are included.
Illinois AODA IV-E Waiver Demonstration Final Evaluation Report (PDF - 955 KB)
Ryan & Huang (2012)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Children and Family Research Center
Discusses the purpose of the AODA waiver to engage families more quickly in the substance abuse treatment process including results from their findings.
Marion County Fostering Attachment Treatment Court Follow-Up Process and Outcome Evaluation Report
Mackin, Aborn, Sanders, Kissick, & Carey (2013)
NPC Research
Presents process and outcome evaluation findings for the Marion County, Oregon Fostering Attachment Family Treatment Court, which is a family drug court that serves substance-abusing parents of children under 9 years old at the time of referral who are at risk of not reunifying with their family. Includes findings of best practices and key components within the program.
Participant Guide: Dependency Drug Court (PDF - 51 KB)
Sonoma County Dependency Drug Court (2012)
Explains the role of the courts as a court-supervised, comprehensive treatment program for parents and guardians who have children involved in the dependency system. The benefits of participating in Dependency Drug Court are discussed, as well as the role and responsibilities of participants. Dependency Drug Court program rules are then reviewed and treatment procedures are explained.
Sonoma County Dependency Drug Court (DDC): Year Three Evaluation Findings (PDF - 558 KB)
Sonoma County Dependency Drug Court Team & Children and Family Futures (2012)
Presents a description of the Sonoma County Dependency Drug Court model and programmatic components; a description of program participants; findings regarding treatment engagement, retention and completion; and findings regarding child safety and permanency.