As noted above, in 2007, OJJDP entered into a partnership with CSAT and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to implement the Juvenile Drug Court/Reclaiming Futures Program. The goal of the program is to build the capacity of states, state courts, local courts, units of local government, and Indian tribal governments to develop and establish juvenile drug courts adopting the Reclaiming Futures model for juvenile offenders who are abusing substances.
OJJDP awarded a total of $1.275 million over 4 years to three jurisdictions in Greene County, MO, Hocking County, OH, and the New York State Unified Court System to implement a juvenile drug court program integrating the reclaiming futures program model.
Applicants presented descriptions of their current or planned juvenile drug court programs in accordance with the guidelines offered in the Bureau of Justice Assistance publication Juvenile Drug Courts: Strategies in Practice. Applicants described elements that were in place or would be to achieve an effective juvenile drug court program and further described how the Reclaiming Futures model would enhance those elements. For example, collaborative planning is a significant strategy that is required for an effective juvenile drug court. An effective juvenile drug court is implemented with relevant stakeholders that have been a part of the initial process and the development and maintenance of collaboratives and community partnerships that support plans for the youth participants. Other significant strategies for effective juvenile drug courts include identifying the target population, screening, proper assessments, drug testing, and incentives and sanctions.
The Reclaiming Futures model embodies three essential elements: designing a system of care that coordinates services, involving the community in creating new opportunities, and improving treatment services for drug and alcohol use. Emphasis will be placed on screening and assessments, and training and technical assistance will be provided in the effective use of screening and assessment tools. The integration of the juvenile drug court and Reclaiming Futures models should enable communities to identify substance abusing youth, match them with appropriate treatment options, and deliver services through a coalition of providers working under the guidance of a local court.
Grantees
Greene County will apply the Reclaiming Futures model to their pilot juvenile drug court, launched in January 2007 under the Greene County Juvenile Court. The integrated system will enhance and expand treatment services, implement a system of care to coordinate all social services, and increase opportunities for youth and families in Greene County. In 2005, the Greene County Juvenile Court participated in the Office of Justice Programs’ 2005 Drug Court Planning Initiative. The training and technical assistance received provided a strong foundation to implement the pilot program.
The Hocking County Juvenile Court, which has been operating for 9 years, will integrate the juvenile drug court program with the Reclaiming Futures model to reduce the number of substance abusing youth, help youth meet educational goals, and increase the number of youth living responsible lives free from substance abuse and crime.
The New York State Unified Court System will apply the Reclaiming Futures model to the Nassau County Juvenile Treatment Court program to improve coordination among the Nassau County Family Court and public and nonprofit agencies working with justice-involved juveniles. The goal is to improve the identification of juveniles requiring substance abuse treatment, expand the screening and assessment of respondents in juvenile delinquency petitions; and engage youth more effectively in treatment by increasing the number and range of effective treatment options.
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