With support from OJJDP, Children and Family Futures has partnered with leading drug court organizations and practitioners to develop Guidance to States: Recommendations for Developing Family Drug Court Guidelines. The publication will serve as a roadmap for states and local jurisdictions to implement evidence-based practices in family drug courts. The authors synthesized the results of a national review of family drug court policies and practices and the relevant research literature.

• Strategies for creating a shared mission and vision.
• Forging interagency partnerships.
• Establishing effective communication protocols for sharing information.
• Promoting cross‐system knowledge.
• Developing a process for early identification and assessment.
• Addressing the needs of parents and children.
• Garnering community support.
• Ensuring funding and sustainability.
• Evaluating shared outcomes and accountability.

Family drug courts are a rapidly growing and effective response to serving families in which parental substance use disorders contribute to child maltreatment. Well-functioning family drug courts bring together substance abuse treatment, mental health, and social services agencies with the court and attorneys to meet the diverse needs of these families. The courts also provide intensive judicial monitoring and interventions to treat parents’ substance use disorders and their effects on children.

Resources

Guidance to States: Recommendations for Developing Family Drug Court Guidelines is available online.