Overview

A Family Drug Court Program refers to a program with the following essential characteristics:

1. The integration of substance abuse treatment services in the processing of civil cases in the child welfare system with the goal of family reunification;
2. The use of a comprehensive case management approach involving Department of Family and Protective Services caseworkers, court-appointed case managers, and court-appointed special advocates to rehabilitate a parent who has had a child removed from the parents care by the department because of suspected child abuse or neglect and who is suspected of substance abuse;
3. Early identification and prompt placement of eligible parents who volunteer to participate in the program;
4. Comprehensive substance abuse needs assessment and referral to an appropriate substance abuse treatment agency;
5. A progressive treatment approach with specific requirements that a parent must meet to advance to the next phase of the program;
6. Monitoring of abstinence through periodic alcohol or other drug testing;
7. Ongoing judicial interaction with program participants;
8. Monitoring and evaluation of program goals and effectiveness;
9. Continuing interdisciplinary education to promote effective program planning, implementation, and operations; and
10. Development of partnerships with public agencies and community organizations.

Texas Government Code Sec. 122.001