TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHAT IS DRUG COURT? 3
HOW IS DRUG COURT DIFFERENT? 3
Judge Kenneth R. Neill, District Court Judge 3
Sarah Bloomgren, Juvenile Probation Officers 3
Matt Robertson, Deputy County Attorney 4
Mike Tramelli, Public Defender 4
Jason Mitchell, School Resource Officer, Great Falls Police Department 4
Matt Darlington, Deputy, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office 4
Shanna Bulik, Director, Juvenile Detention Center 5
Pat Jaraczeski, Family Counselor 5
Linda Blankenship, Counselor, Hope and Forgiveness Error! Bookmark not defined.
Tana Purdy, Counselor, Mountain Peaks 5
Mikie Messman, Student Assistance Program Coordinator, Great Falls Public Schools 5
Janet Meissner & Kristy Stroop, Administrator & Program Manager, Alliance for Youth 5
WHAT IS THE PROGRAM? 6
FLOW CHART OVERVIEW 8
Referral 8
Eligibility – Orientation – Enrollment 8
Program Phases 8
Task Sheet 8
Progress Reports 8
Conclusion 9
FEE STRUCTURE 9
PHASES AND REQUIREMENTS 9
Temporary Removal 10
Termination 10
Commencement 10
PHASE I: 6 + Weeks 11
Phase II: 10 + Weeks 13
PHASE III: 16+ Weeks 15
PHASE IV (Continuing Care): 20 + Weeks 18
JUVENILE DRUG COURT RULES 21
EtG Drug Court Client Contract 24
Curfew Check-In Policy and Procedure 26
Sanctions Continuum 28
SANCTIONS GRID 29
INCENTIVES CONTINUUM 30
Incentives 30
APPENDIX A 31
HIPPA RELEASE FORM 31
WELCOME!
Welcome to the Eighth Judicial District Juvenile Drug Court Program. You have been accepted into this program based upon the Drug Court Team’s confidence in your ability to successfully complete the program. This means that our community will be making a significant investment in you. The Juvenile Drug Court Team will work with you and your parents/guardians over the next 12 months to assist you in developing and achieving education and career goals, improve your health, develop family communication skills and make you stronger and more able to live a life free of alcohol and drug dependence and crime. You will receive treatment aimed at resolving your problems related to substance abuse, opportunities to gain new job-related skills, and support from a team of well-qualified professionals. In exchange, we expect you to work extremely hard in your effort to emerge as a successful and valuable member of our community. Remember, participation in the Juvenile Drug Court Program is a privilege, not a punishment. If you have any questions regarding your responsibilities, please ask questions!
This Handbook is designed to answer your questions and provide overall information about the Juvenile Drug Court Program. As a participant, you will be expected to follow the instructions given in Drug Court by me, and to comply with the treatment plan developed for you by the Juvenile Drug Court Team.
Congratulations on entering the program! The road you face will not be an easy one, but each challenge you conquer will ultimately bring you great rewards as a person.
Sincerely,
Judge Kenneth R. Neill
Eighth Judicial District Court
WHAT IS DRUG COURT?
The Eighth Judicial District Drug Court is a court-managed, intensive treatment program. The Program is 12 + months in length and is open to youths between the ages of 12 and 17 at the time of entry into the Juvenile Drug Court Program as program capacity allows. Juveniles who are significantly involved in the juvenile justice system and abusing alcohol and/or drugs are the focus of this Program. Young people formally charged in Youth Court with felonies that are not crimes against persons or crimes of violence, and young people charged with any misdemeanor are eligible for the Drug Court Program.
HOW IS DRUG COURT DIFFERENT?
The Drug Court approach is different than the traditional court where court officers present and argue different sides of an issue. In Drug Court, the Judge, Prosecutor and Public Defender are not on opposite sides. In Drug Court, they are members of a team dedicated to one purpose – helping young people. Treatment and justice system decisions are made by a Drug Court Team, with shared decision making. Following is a list of the Juvenile Drug Court Team members and what they do:
Judge Kenneth R. Neill, District Court Judge
The Juvenile Drug Court Judge will supervise and reinforce treatment by reviewing reports from treatment providers, the Probation Officer and/or Program Coordinator. The Judge will use both positive and negative incentives to encourage compliance with treatment and other Drug Court stipulated activities. The Judge will respond to relapse or other violations with immediate sanctions, as agreed upon by the Juvenile Drug Court Team, simultaneously addressing the offender’s conduct and encouraging more intensive involvement in treatment. The Court will strive to keep participants in the Juvenile Drug Court Program while imposing swift, consistent, and behavior-specific sanctions for relapse, missed meetings or court hearings, and other Drug Court contract violations. The Judge serves as the overall facilitator of the Program by resolving criminal justice issues, helping overcome problems impeding treatment progress, and resolving other difficulties.
Sarah Bloomgren, Juvenile Probation Officers
The Juvenile Drug Court Program’s Probation Officer will fulfill probation officer functions for all youth participating in the Juvenile Drug Court Program. The Probation Officer will serve as a contact point between the youth and the Court. The Probation Officer, in cooperation with the Prosecutor, completes an initial, strength-based assessment to determine the youth’s eligibility and suitability for entry into the Juvenile Drug Court Program. If the youth is eligible to participate, the Probation Officer, with the Public Defender, discusses the Juvenile Drug Court Program option with the youth and his or her parent(s)/guardian(s). If the youth is eligible and suitable and agrees to participate, or is committed to the program by court order, the Probation Officer schedules an appearance before the Juvenile Drug Court Program Judge for the youth and his or her parent(s)/guardian(s). The Probation Officer distributes the participant handbook, review conditions of the Juvenile Drug Court Program and ensures all contracts and forms are signed. The Probation Officer obtains timely progress reports from all agencies/persons involved with youth and his or her Drug Court Program activities (i.e., treatment, drug tests, school, family, literacy, job skills, legal status, etc.). The Probation Officer also provide a current list of Juvenile Drug Court Program participants to Sheriff’s Office Dispatch and local 911 services, enabling local law enforcement to advise the Juvenile Drug Court Probation Officer and/or Judge of any incidents involving Juvenile Drug Court participants. Additionally, the Probation Officer provide copies of weekly youth progress reports to participating youth and their parents and meets with participating youth’s parent(s)/guardian(s) at least one time per month to discuss their questions and concerns about the Drug Court Program and their child’s/ward’s progress or lack thereof.
Matt Robertson, Deputy County Attorney
The Prosecutor participates generally and specifically in the referral process. He or she confers with the Probation Officer, Public Defender, Judge, and Team to determine acceptance of a youth into the Juvenile Drug Court Program. The Prosecutor verifies that current charges are appropriate for the Juvenile Drug Court and that the youth does not have any prior charges, which would disqualify him or her from program participation. The Prosecutor is a key member in formulating and adjusting the Program’s operation and overall effectiveness. As a member of the Juvenile Drug Court Team, the Prosecutor recommends both sanctions and incentives for program compliance or lack thereof. The Prosecutor prepares the motion to dismiss and expunge the Youth Court record as agreed upon by the Juvenile Drug Court Team when the youth successfully completes the Program.
Mike Tramelli, Public Defender
The Public Defender evaluates the offender’s legal situation and ensures their legal rights are protected. Once a youth has been deemed eligible and suitable for Drug Court participation, the Public Defender meets with the youth and his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) and the Juvenile Drug Court Probation Officer to discuss the Program participation. In discussing the Drug Court option, the Public Defender must address the underlying charges and advise the youth of the legal rights affected by entering the Drug Court Program. In addition, the Public Defender explains the requirements of the Juvenile Drug Court Program and assists the youth and his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) in completing the paperwork necessary to enter the Program. During the youth’s participation in the Drug Court the Public Defender monitors the intermediate incentives sanctions imposed by the Court to insure the sanctions are within the parameters of the Program and are in the long-term best interest of the participant. If a youth is terminated from the Program the Public Defender represents the youth at the hearing for alternative disposition. If a youth successfully completes the Program the Public Defender represents the youth at the final Drug Court hearing.
Matt Darlington, Deputy, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office
Community Supervision Officer will complete home, school and office visits, monitor applied program rules such as curfew, and identify and report positive and negative behaviors Community supervision provides information of participant appropriateness from law enforcement sources to the Team and makes recommendations to the Team. Community supervision provides assistance, information and support to participants encouraging them to succeed in the Program. Community Supervision facilitates swift delivery of bench warrants for participants who have absconded from the Program.
Shanna Bulik, Director, Juvenile Detention Center
The Juvenile Detention Officers will verify employment, administer drug and alcohol tests, and will provide information to the Team regarding the participant’s drug and urine test results and home, school and/or work environments. Juvenile Detention Officers will provide home visits and urine and breath drug and alcohol screening in accordance with the protocols set forth in this manual. The Juvenile Detention Center will provide secure confinement of Juvenile Drug Court participants upon issuance of court orders. The Juvenile Detention Center staff will work with youth to obtain their schedules and monitor them in the community through random visits to the home, school and/or work environments.
Pat Jaraczeski, Family Counselor
Linda Blankenship, Counselor, Hope and Forgiveness
Tana Purdy, Counselor, Mountain Peaks
Substance abuse, mental health, family and other treatment Providers will work closely with the Juvenile Probation Officer, participant and his or her family and other Team members to develop a comprehensive, coordinated treatment plan based on assessment and evaluation data. Treatment Providers will cooperate with all Juvenile Drug Court Team members, including disclosure of relevant information in compliance with HIPAA and federal confidentiality regulations and guidelines.
Mikie Messman, Student Assistance Program Coordinator, Great Falls Public Schools
The Student Assistance Program Coordinator will provide information to the Team regarding the participant’s school performance, attendance, counseling records, and any other relevant information. The SAP serves as the school liaison and will facilitate access to appropriate school resources.
Janet Meissner & Kristy Stroop, Administrator & Program Manager, Alliance for Youth
The Administrator will research and pursue funding opportunities and administer all Juvenile Drug Court Program grants, budgets and contracts. The Administrator will provide administrative oversight to the project and will coordinate and facilitate quarterly Advisory Group meetings. The Administrator and Program Manager will work with the Juvenile Drug Court Team and coordinate participant progress and information tracking and sharing and to ensure youth and families are best matched with local resources. The Administrator and program manager will recruit and coordinate community services and resources for the Juvenile Drug Court Program and serve as liaison to state and community leaders, facilitating local and political support for the program and community donations. These positions will coordinate evaluation of the Juvenile Drug Court Program.
The Drug Court Team develops and implements Juvenile Drug Court Policy. The Team creates and manages the individual Drug Court plan for each participant. The Team reviews each participant’s case weekly prior to the Drug Court hearing, discussing each youth’s progress with information presented by each Team member. Sometimes family members and participants will be asked to be a part of this weekly meeting.
WHAT IS THE PROGRAM?
The Eighth Judicial District Juvenile Drug Court emphasizes community-based treatment and least restrictive services. Whenever possible, participants remain in the family home while they are in the Drug Court Program. Some participants’ behavior and/or substance abuse require electronic monitoring/home arrest, out-of-home placement or residential treatment. The Program Flow Chart on the following page identifies key points in the juvenile justice system, how a youth may enter the Drug Court Program and how the youth’s case progresses once the Drug Court Program starts.
Juvenile Drug Court Strategies
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11/14/2012
FLOW CHART OVERVIEW
Referral
A Juvenile may be referred to assess Juvenile Drug Court Program eligibility by any of the following entities: District Court, Justice Court, Municipal Court, County Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, School, family or Youth Court Services. The Juvenile Drug Court Judge will request that all unanswered charges and/or outstanding warrants for youth accepted into the Juvenile Drug Court Program be transferred to the Juvenile Drug Court Judge.
Eligibility – Orientation – Enrollment
Youth Court Services will complete initial legal eligibility screenings daily, including current offense and criminal history. As eligible youth who meet the target population are identified, the Probation Officer will meet with the parent and the child and discuss case processing options for the youth’s offense, including Drug Court. If the parent/guardian and youth offender are interested in participating in the Juvenile Drug Court Program, then the Probation Officer will administer, complete data entry and compile a comprehensive screening tool, “Back on Track”. “Back on Track” assesses criminal history, academic performance and school behaviors, social, employment, family, financial, substance abuse and mental health. The Public Defender formally orients the youth offender and his or her parents/guardians to the Drug Court Program and ensures all contracts and forms are signed. The Probation Officer prepares the Consent Adjustment (informal disposition) or refers the case to the County Attorney for the filing of a Petition (formal disposition) in Youth Court. The County Attorney’s Office reviews the case and approves or disapproves the youth’s enrollment in the Juvenile Drug Court Program. The juvenile can be enrolled in the Program through an informal Consent Adjustment or a formal Consent Decree or Court Disposition. Upon Program enrollment, a clinical, multi-dimensional chemical dependency evaluation is completed and an individualized treatment plan developed with the youth and his or her family. Estimated time span from commission of offense to enrollment in Juvenile Drug Court is two weeks.