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Zero To Five Family Drug Treatment Court

Judge Douglas F. Johnson

Omaha, NE

April 14, 2007

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Douglas County Douglas County Zero to FiveZero to Five

Family Drug Treatment Court Family Drug Treatment Court Est. May 3, 2005Est. May 3, 2005

Our Team: Douglas Johnson, Our Team: Douglas Johnson, JudgeJudgeBeth Morrissette, Beth Morrissette, CoordinatorCoordinatorJoni Scheef, Joni Scheef, County AttorneyCounty AttorneyLynette Boyle, Lynette Boyle, AttorneyAttorneyMaureen Monahan, Maureen Monahan, GALGALCandice Novak, Candice Novak, GALGALAnn MarcuzzoAnn Marcuzzo,, Public DefenderPublic Defender

Linda Gomez-Torres, NDHHSLinda Gomez-Torres, NDHHS Case Case ManagerManagerKinsey Baker, NDHHSKinsey Baker, NDHHS Supervisor SupervisorNanon Perdaems-Vigen,Nanon Perdaems-Vigen,Heartland Family ServiceHeartland Family ServiceJill Ramet, Jill Ramet, Child Saving InstituteChild Saving Institute Nancy Wilson, Nancy Wilson, CASACASA

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Why Zero To Five?Why Zero To Five?• 1 in 5 foster care placements are infants• Once in care, they remain twice as long as older

children• Babies under age 1 make up 25% of the children

in the child welfare system• 76% of child abuse fatalities occur to children

under age 4• Multiple foster placements• Developmental Delays &/or Damage• WHY NOT help the youngest of the young?

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Why FDTC?Why FDTC?

• Parental Substance Abuse is the reason children are placed in foster care in 70% of all abuse & neglect cases

• Through the National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges we “field acquired” best practices from existing FDTCs. FDTC WORKS!!

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MissionMission

Douglas County Zero to Five Family Drug Treatment Court seeks to achieve healthy, safe, permanent homes for infants and young children in state custody due to parental substance abuse. It provides for the timely resolution of child maltreatment for the benefit of children, families, and society through intense supervision and special collaboration of the court, child welfare, community and treatment providers.

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Goals for ChildrenGoals for Children• Achieve a safe, secure, permanent home

in a timely fashion according to ASFA guidelines: 12 Month PPH

• Secure placements with few moves • Developmental needs met through

evaluation and appropriate intervention—Part C, Early Headstart

• Concurrent plan: Reunification/Adoption

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Goals for ParentsGoals for Parents

• Active participation & responsibility

• Achieve parenting skills and demonstrate the ability to provide a safe, healthy family environment for their children

• Achieve a clean and sober lifestyle—Get TX, Stay in TX, Complete TX—dual diagnosis SA/Mental Health

• Due Process & Fair Hearings

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Eligibility CriteriaEligibility Criteria

• At least one child age 0-5, will accept older siblings

• Parent has been voluntarily adjudicated—some exceptions

• No violent felony charges or convictions

• Not in Adult Drug Court

• Voluntarily choose to participate and abide by program rules

• No severe mental illness where reunification is unlikely

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Key ElementsKey Elements

• Focus on holistic child/parent well-being

• Frequent therapeutic visitation with safety plan

• Parents and children reside together as soon as

safely possible

• Parent/Child Relationship assessments and therapy

• Early intervention--access to immediate evaluations

and TX

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Key ElementsKey Elements

• Intense judicial monitoring through frequent court appearances

• Collaborative, non-adversarial team supported by cross-training

• Service plan based on incremental goals, expectations, requirements

• Use of graduated incentives and sanctions to effect behavior change

• Enhanced case management to monitor progress/facilitate access

to services

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Key ElementsKey Elements

• Diet, exercise

• Smoking cessation

• Education, job skills, time management

• Planned Activities: parental, social, self

• Safety: DV, housing, relationships, friends & family

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Phase Structure: 12-18 MonthsPhase Structure: 12-18 Months

• Phase 1 Choice: 45 days

• Phase 2 Challenge: 60 days

• Phase 3 Commitment: 90 days

• Phase 4 Commencement: 90 days

• Phase 5 Change: 90 days

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IncentivesIncentives• Research-based: Affirmation & Motivation Works!!

• Praise in courtroom by the judge and team

• Claps of encouragement

• Forgiveness for mistakes—next right step

• “Treasure Chest”

• Gift certs, medallions, certs for phase advancement

• Fewer court appearances

• Random drug testing—1 to 2 times per week

• Permission to leave FDTC hearing early

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SanctionsSanctions• Pay $10 fee for missed, diluted, or positive drug tests

• Set back in phase

• Increased level of treatment or # of sessions

• Write essay

• Community Service

• Observe Adult Drug Court or TPR hearing

• More frequent court appearances/drug tests

• Not jail—jurisdictional issue, trauma, questionable

effectiveness

*Denial of visitation never used as sanction

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Role of the JudgeRole of the Judge• Sets problem-solving tone

• Affirmation with accountability

• Focus on strengths

• Child best interests for permanency

• Handling contested matters ethically

• Work collaboratively with community partners

• Training, training, training

• Affiliation with ZTT and NCJCJ to promote best

practice

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Child-Parent Relationship Child-Parent Relationship QuestionsQuestions

• Describe one highlight/challenge of being a mother/father this past week. How did that feel?

• What is your child’s favorite color? Food? Special toy? Blanket?

• What frightens your child? What do you do to comfort/calm her? How does that feel?

• How does your child react when he sees you? How does that feel?

• Describe your child in one, two or three words.

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Child-Parent Relationship Child-Parent Relationship QuestionsQuestions

• What books do you read to your baby? How does your baby react? What words does your child say? How did that make you feel?

• Describe the kind of father/mother your toddler needs? Are you that man/woman? Do you want to be? Are you getting there? What gets in the way?

• How does it feel to hold your child?

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Evidence Based OutcomesEvidence Based Outcomes

• Not yet. Anecdotal but positive so far

• Planning a Study

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ParentsParents

• 84 % White

• 8% African American

• 4% Native American

• 4% African American/Native American

2020

SubstancesSubstances

• 68% Methamphetamine

• 12% Alcohol

• 8% Marijuana

• 8% Unknown

• 4% Cocaine

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So Far . . . So Far . . .

• To date 22 families served: 33 children, 21 mothers, 4 fathers

• Permanency for 8 children achieved

• 2 Voluntary Relinquishment of Parental Rights

• 1 Adoption, 1 child awaiting Adoption

• Secure placements with parents/relatives: 25 of 33 children

• Three Commencements: 4 mothers & 3 fathers

• 6 Parents dismissed

• Currently 10 active cases: 10 mothers, 1 father, 16 children

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What Are Your Questions?What Are Your Questions?

We invite you to observe Zero To Five

Family Drug Treatment Court

To make arrangements, Please contact:

Beth Morrissette: bmorrissette@childsaving.org , 402-504-3645

or

Judge Doug Johnson: djohnson@co.douglas.ne.us, 402-444-7881

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THANK YOU!THANK YOU!