Treatment Court

Juvenile Treatment Court is designed to serve the needs of non-violent court-involved youth who have a diagnosed substance use disorder (SUD) or a dual diagnosis of a mental health disorder and substance use disorder. Treatment Court serves adjudicated juvenile offenders who are referred by Probation, parent/guardian, or the youth’s attorney/GAL.

 

The mission of Juvenile Treatment Court is to reduce juvenile delinquency and substance abuse through therapeutic best practice interventions and close judicial supervision. Through an intensively monitored phase program, Juvenile Treatment Court provides opportunities and resources for participants to become alcohol- and drug-free, achieve success in school, and complete probation. Additionally, participants who are struggling with mental health issues are linked with appropriate treatment resources and expected to follow all therapeutic recommendations.

 

In addition to providing intensive monitoring, the Juvenile Treatment Court team links participants with Court and/or community programs that focus on skill-building and competency-development. Referrals to appropriate resources are also made when needs are identified in the areas of education, employment, medical care, training, housing, and transportation.

 

Excel

Provided through a specialized docket of Fairfield County Juvenile Court, Excel is a court-supervised treatment program designed to improve outcomes for families who are experiencing a substance use disorder and involved with the child protection system. Participants include parents who are at least 18 years old.

 

The goals of Excel (formerly known as Family Court) are: Enhance available services; Increase parental participation and their success in recovery; and Reduce the number of days of out-of-home placement of children. Through the use of tools for rapid substance and trauma screening, parents are offered early access to services and supports. Excel is an incentive- and strength-based program. Focus is on goal-setting and achievement, with participants earning incentives for their accomplishments. Incentives have included self-care items, cleaning supplies, housewares, gift cards, and family-focused games and movies.

 

Referrals to Excel are made by Child Protective Services (CPS). Upon acceptance into Excel, participants are expected to actively participate in treatment, refrain from using and/or possessing any mood-altering substance, submit to random drug screens, attend all required counseling sessions, appear for regularly scheduled status hearings, and comply with all rules of the treatment plan and program. Successful completion of Excel becomes part of the CPS case plan for reunification.