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Apply – Family Treatment Court

Learn if you are eligible to apply for the Family Treatment Court (FTC) Program, how to apply, the rules of the program, and what you need to graduate from it.

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.

Eligibility

To be considered for the program, parents must:

  • Be willing to admit to the court that their child is dependent or have an existing dependency finding on their children.
  • Have a severe or moderate substance use disorder and willing to go to treatment.
  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Be a resident of King County.
  • Be willing to sign a Consent to Release Confidential Information Form so that the team may share information with other team members and outside community providers
  • Have the ability both mentally and physically to fully participate in the program.
  • Not be a perpetrator of sexual abuse or felony child abuse.

Applications/referrals to FTC must be received no later than 6 months from the date on which the dependency petition was filed.

Application process

If you are or know a parent involved in the Child Dependency System and whose drug or alcohol problem is the primary factor affecting their ability to protect the health, safety and welfare of their children, Family Treatment Court may be an option.

Contact the Program Office at 206-477-2311 to learn more.

  • Call us

    If you are or know a parent involved in the Child Dependency System and whose drug or alcohol problem is the primary factor affecting their ability to protect the health, safety and welfare of their children, Family Treatment Court may be an option.

    Contact the Program Office at 206-477-2311

  • The parents meet with FTC staff

    If they are found eligible, they are referred immediately for a drug and alcohol evaluation if that has not already been done.
  • Complete an evaluation and assessment

    You complete the drug and alcohol evaluation and the clinical assessment of eligibility. The treatment provider submits written verification that the parent or parents have a substance use disorder that is moderate or severe and suitable for participation.
  • Final decision

    The FTC team meets to discuss overall eligibility and takes into consideration the dependency petition, substance use assessment and all other available information. Based on the available information and from the team's input, the Family Treatment Court Judge makes the final decision about whether or not the parent or parents are eligible for the program.
  • If accepted

    The parent states treatment and start coming to court every week. The parent's file will also be transferred to an FTC social worker.
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