Participation Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Will participating in Family Treatment Court help me get my children back?
    Yes. Although getting your children back is up to you, Family Treatment Court can help you as you are going through the dependency process and provide support that you won't get through the regular system. You will have an entire treatment team on your side.

  2. What is the difference between Drug Court and Family Treatment Court?
    There are many similarities between Drug Court and Family Treatment Court. The main difference, however, is that Drug Court focuses primarily on chemical dependency treatment.
    In addition to treatment, the Family Treatment Court team looks at your parenting skills and abilities and helps you develop ways to ensure a safe and nurturing environment for your children.
    Throughout the program, you and your team develop and follow a plan to address the issues that were presented on your initial dependency petition.

  3. How often do I have to come to court?
    For the first several months, you will come to court every other week so the Family Treatment Court judge can review how you are doing in the program. As you advance in the program, court hearings will take place less often. However, in certain circumstances, you may be asked to come in weekly.

  4. How long is court? Should I expect to be there all day?
    Family Treatment Court is in session on Tuesdays starting at 1:30 p.m. Court usually lasts about 2 hours but could be longer depending on the calendar. You will be expected to stay until the courtroom is dismissed. If you have an urgent matter and need to leave, please notify the Family Treatment Court Program Manager a day prior to court.

  5. Do I have to go to substance abuse treatment or counseling?
    Yes, you will be required to participate in treatment which includes individual and group counseling. Like court, treatment appointments may take place less often as you advance in the program.

  6. What happens if I miss treatment or don't go to group?
    Missing treatment or group without authorization is a violation of your court order. You can be discharged from the program for continually violating your court order, not following your treatment plan and not following Family Treatment Court rules. See question 10 below for information on sanctions.

  7. Are UAs (urinalysis testing) required?
    Yes, UAs are a very important tool used to ensure compliance with the program. To test for drug use, random (unscheduled) UAs can take place from several times weekly to every few weeks.

  8. What are incentives and how or when do I get them?
    Incentives are rewards for your progress and successes as you move through the program. Success can include: regular attendance at treatment, ongoing periods of being sober (clean UAs), and advancing to the next level of the program. Incentives range from in-court recognition by the judge to vouchers for food/clothing and passes for family outings such as movies or the zoo.

  9. What are sanctions and how or when do I get them?
    The Family Treatment Court uses sanctions if you don't follow the court order. The kind of behavior resulting in a sanction can include: dirty or dilute UAs, not showing up for UA testing, failing to go to treatment, or failing to come to court. Sanctions range from reprimands by the judge to writing assignments, community service, being sent to a lower level of the program, and sometimes jail.

  10. What do I need to do in order to complete or graduate from the Family Treatment Court Program?
    There are three levels in Family Treatment Court each with their own set of requirements. In order to advance to the next level, you have to complete all requirements for that level. For example, six weeks of consecutive clean time is one of the requirements you need to move from Level 1 to Level 2. To graduate, you must complete the requirements of all three levels.

    A requirement in the third level is to complete all requirements of the ISSP (Individual Safety and Service Plan). The ISSP is a very important document and is filed with the court. It summarizes what needs to happen in order to have your children returned to your custody and the dependency dismissed. Your DCFS social worker prepares the ISSP based on your initial meetings. Please make sure you talk to your Social Worker about what you are required to do.
  11. How long does it take to complete Family Treatment Court?
    We hope that parents successfully complete the Family Treatment Court program in about 12 months. Most parents are expected to complete the program in 18 months; however, some parents will take longer than 18 months.

  12. What if I relapse? Will I be asked to leave Family Treatment Court?
    Relapse alone is not a reason to end your participation in the program. If you relapse, you should notify someone on your team immediately.

  13. What is a Wrap-Around Team and Wrap-Around Meeting?
    Your Wrap-Around Team consists of your FTC team, your family and any other people you choose to be part of your team. Through regular Wrap-Around meetings, you and your team develop a plan to support your progress and your family. This becomes your family's plan of care and is built around the strengths of your child and family. More information about this can be obtained through your social worker.

PROGRAM RULES
As a Family Treatment Court participant, you are required to abide by the following rules:

Do not use or possess any drugs or alcohol. Sobriety is the primary focus of this program. Maintaining a drug free lifestyle is very important in your recovery process. Carefully choose the people with whom you associate.

Take prescriptions medications as prescribed by your doctor. If any medications show up as a positive urinalysis and you have not complied with the following conditions, you will be sanctioned.

If a physician prescribes medication for you:

  • You must first tell your treating doctor that you are participating in treatment and that you are required to abstain from mood-altering medications, so that the doctor can make decisions with full knowledge of your situation, and;
  • You must contact your treatment provider and social worker immediately to let them know exactly what medications your treating doctor has prescribed.
  • You must not take more medication than your doctor ordered or get multiple prescriptions from different doctors.
Attend all ordered treatment. You may be ordered to do both inpatient and outpatient treatment. You must complete treatment as directed by the treatment center and the court. This includes individual and group counseling, educational sessions and sober-support meetings. If you leave treatment against the advice of the treatment center, additional treatment and/or sanctions may be imposed.

If you are unable to attend a scheduled session, you MUST contact your treatment counselor BEFORE a session is missed.

Report to your DCFS Social Worker as directed. If you have any problems making an appointment, contact your DCFS Social Worker immediately. This is especially important for requested urinalysis.

Be on time for visits and all treatment activities.
Being late has consequences. Visitation providers will leave and not allow you to visit if you are more than 15 minutes late. On the 3rd late visit, the visitation provider will no longer provide visits and a new provider will need to be found. This could mean that you may miss the next few visits.
If you are late for treatment, you may not be allowed to attend your counseling session and will be considered non-compliant. Contact your treatment counselor if there is a possibility you may be late.

Maintain appropriate behavior. Violent or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and will be reported to Court. This may result in termination from the Family Treatment Court Program.

Attend all court hearings and plan to stay until the end. If you must leave early, contact the Family Treatment Court Program Manager a day prior to court to allow enough time for the team to be notified.

Dress appropriately for Court and treatment sessions. Dress to make a positive impression. Clothing bearing drug or alcohol related themes or promoting or advertising alcohol or drug use or violence is considered inappropriate. Speak with your DCFS Social Worker if you need assistance with clothing.

Participate in Dependency Court Services.

Attend all visitations.

Be Honest. Honesty is essential to your recovery and to your success in the Family Treatment Court. This rule is intended to encourage and reward upfront honesty that supports sobriety and will be applied accordingly.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Remember, for most parents, successful completion of the Family Treatment Court program will take a minimum of one year. Most parents are expected to complete the program in 18 months.

In order to complete the program and graduate, you must have:

  • 6 months consecutive clean time.
  • Children returned and living at home for six months or in permanent placements.
  • Successful discharge from a substance abuse treatment program.
  • Consistent attendance at a sober support program or community based support program documented.
  • Housing arranged: Transitional living and/or drug free home.
  • Outstanding warrants resolved.
  • Support system established.
  • Relapse prevention program established.
  • Life plan initiated (e.g., employment, education, vocational training).
  • Dependency court services completed (ISSP plan completed)