In This Section

Related Information

E-Filing
Guardianship, Statewide Info
Suffolk County Law Libraries

On This Page (Jump To):

    Family Treatment Courtroom F-127
    Central Islip: 631-740-3631
    Riverhead: 631-852-3460
    FAX: 631-853-7616
    FAX: 631-853-4877
    Email: [email protected]

    Case Managers

    Overview

    Family Treatment Court (FTC) is a voluntary program for parents involved in a child protective proceeding who are struggling with substance use. FTC uses a team approach to support recovery, strengthen families, and promote safe reunification with children.

    Participants receive treatment referrals, case management, family support services, regular court reviews, and individualized service planning. The program is designed to help families achieve lasting recovery and family stability.

    Eligibility

    Parents may be eligible for Family Treatment Court (FTC) if they have a pending child protective proceeding in Family Court and are experiencing alcohol and/or substance use issues. Participation in FTC is voluntary and requires an admission to neglect and the signing of a Family Treatment Court Agreement. As part of a collaborative effort involving Child Protective Services (CPS), the County Attorney, and the Court, eligible participants generally receive a Suspended Judgment as the dispositional order in their case.

    Participation

    FTC is approximately 12 months in length.

    Participants appear before the Judge regularly throughout the program. Court appearances are typically weekly at the beginning of the program and become less frequent as milestones are achieved.

    Participants attend Comprehensive Team Meetings with FTC team members where progress is reviewed, service needs are discussed, and plans are developed to support recovery and family reunification. Abstinence is monitored through regular alcohol and drug testing.

    Key Staff And Referral Process

    Program staff include the Family Treatment Court Judge, Project Director, Resource Coordinator, Case Manager, Child Protective Services (CPS). The FTC team works together to support recovery, child safety, and family reunification.

    Referrals to Family Treatment Court are made in Family Court. Eligible parents are generally identified by the Presiding Judge during a child protective proceeding. If a parent appears eligible for the program, the opportunity to participate in FTC will be discussed in court.

    Parents who are interested in participating are screened to determine eligibility. Those who meet the program requirements and choose to participate will sign a Family Treatment Court Agreement and begin working with the FTC team. Participants are then connected to treatment, recovery support, and family services designed to address their individual needs and support safe family reunification.

    Parents who choose not to participate, or who are not eligible for FTC, will continue through the Family Court process.

     

    Program Phases

    The focus of Phase I is to encourage the parent to engage in treatment and establish a foundation of abstinence in addition to working on the development of responsible parenting skills.

    Goals

    1. Drug & Alcohol assessment.
    2. Detoxification & Abstinence.
    3. Placement in community based treatment.
    4. Identification of treatment barriers.
    5. Assessment & Referral for additional family services.
    6. Development of initial service plan goals.
    7. Assessment of job readiness.
    8. Obtain medical coverage (i.e. Medicaid).
    9. Assessment & Development of parenting skills.

    Requirements for Advancement to Phase II

    1. 60 to 90 days drug & alcohol free.
    2. Regular court appearances.
    3. Supervised or unsupervised visitation with children.
    4. Progress toward treatment plan goals.
    5. Progress towards service plan goals.
    6. Follow through with educational, medical and other service needs of the children.
    7. Completion of a mental health evaluation.
    8. Complete Phase I packet and accountability essay and submit completed criteria to your case manager.
    9. Obtain and maintain medical coverage.
    10. Team recommendation.

    The focus of Phase II is to stabilize the parent in treatment, identify and address underlying issues surrounding addiction and its impact on the entire family, and to promote the continue development of problem solving and parenting skills.

    Goals

    1. Continued abstinence & development of recovery tools.
    2. Development/implementation of educational & vocational goals.
    3. Continued development of parenting skills.
    4. Identification and linkages to additional family services.
    5. Increased visitation with children.
    6. Meet educational & medical needs of the children.

    Requirements for Advancement to Phase III

    1. 6 to 9 months drug & alcohol free.
    2. Regular court appearances.
    3. Regular visitation with children.
    4. Progress toward treatment plan goal.
    5. Progress toward service plan goals.
    6. Follow through with educational, medical and other service needs of children.
    7. Parenting skills class is to be completed.
    8. Maintain medical insurance.
    9. Team recommendation.

    The focus of Phase III is to continue to work towards a drug-free lifestyle, focus on reintegration into the community and develop & finalize reunification and aftercare plans.

    Goals

    1. Continued abstinence and internalization of recovery tools.
    2. Implementation and completion of educational & vocational goals.
    3. Increased visitation with children.
    4. Development and finalization of family reunification plan.
    5. Reintegration into the community.
    6. Development of aftercare plan with treatment provider.

    Requirements for Eligibility for Phase III

    1. 9 to 12 months of abstinence and drug free tests.
    2. Regular court appearances.
    3. Custody of child(ren) has been returned, or will be within the next 30-60 days.
    4. Successful completion of treatment program.
    5. Implementation of educational and vocational goals, if any.
    6. Completion of parenting skills program.
    7. Follow through with educational, medical and other service needs of children.
    8. Obtain safe and suitable housing.
    9. Relapse prevention packet to be completed and submitted for approval.

    Graduation Requirements

    Graduation from the program occurs after you have progressed through the three phases. You will become eligible to graduation from FTC after you have satisfied the following requirements:

    1. A minimum of 6 to 8 months of clean time.
    2. The permanency plan has been approved by the court and finalized (children have been returned to the parents custody or another plan has been approved).
    3. Successful completion or significant progress towards all treatment goals.
    4. Significant progress of all service plan goals.
    5. Have secure stable housing.
    6. Completion of an aftercare plan with your treatment provider.
    7. Completion of all court mandates.