Jul 22

Jul 22 Juvenile and Family Treatment Court Earns All Rise23 Leadership Award

Juvenile and Family Treatment Court Earns All Rise23 Leadership Award. Photo: Submitted.

Prestigious award recognizes exemplary service to the family treatment court field

North Carolina’s 8th Judicial District Family Accountability and Recovery Court received the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, now All Rise, Juvenile and Family Treatment Court Leadership Award at its 23rd Annual Conference in Houston, Texas on June 26, 2023. This national award shines a spotlight of commendation on a team which has demonstrated exemplary service to the family treatment court field.

Chief District Court Judge Beth Heath accepted the award on behalf of the team. Judge Heath recognized the privilege of working with an amazing recovery court team, community partners, and professional partners. Judge Heath highlighted that the ultimate privilege of the recovery court team is to “walk alongside the people of the community at that moment when they are at their sickest.” She said, “Sometimes in jail, or when they have lost their children, their jobs, homes, family and friends. But through our recovery court, we are able to be there to support them in every way and connect them to community resources. To be a part of these lives, one by one, that is the ultimate privilege. And for that opportunity, we will remain forever passionate and grateful.”

How Family Accountability and Recovery Court Works

The 8th Judicial District Family Accountability and Recovery Court (FARC) serves a rural three-county region in eastern North Carolina: Wayne, Lenoir, and Greene Counties. FARC provides services and opportunities for families involved in the child welfare system due to allegations of child abuse, neglect, or other parenting issues related to substance use.

There are two program tracks, depending upon whether the Department of Social Services (DSS) has filed a petition in Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Court. In Track 1, clients have moderate to severe substance use, and DSS has already filed a petition. In Track 2, clients have mild to moderate substance use and, while DSS may be involved, a petition has not been filed. Both tracks facilitate holistic treatment and seek to reunite families whenever possible. Later phases move clients toward abstinence and recovery while helping them improve their parenting skills and address their vocational and educational needs. Clients graduate with support systems that can be maintained after the program concludes.
Local Partners Contribute to Program Success

Although there are inherent challenges to serving in a rural community with disparities, FARC is

people-rich. The court has built an array of local partners, ranging from collaborations with local employers and community colleges to more traditional treatment and recovery support services, including access to a mobile clinic. Access to affordable recovery housing has been the court’s greatest challenge and need in recent years. In 2021, FARC partnered with House of Hope for Women, a local 16-bed women’s transitional housing facility, to address this need. Hope Restorations, Inc., a local faith-based nonprofit organization that restores homes for rehabilitation programming operates the initiative. Residents of the House of Hope for Women can gain employment skills and economic stability by working at the local thrift store, Restored Hope that Hope Restorations, Inc. recently opened in Lenoir County. In June 2023 the Hill’s House of Hope for Men opened in La Grange, NC. This transitional housing facility for men offers employment skills and recovery services also.

FARC’s future relies on maintaining sustainability and a broad support base. With that pursuit, FARC has been the driving force behind the development of a coalition, Recovery Together Eastern North Carolina (ENC). This coalition brings together partners from the justice system, the treatment community, and all other relevant stakeholders that provide resources for those in recovery from substance use disorder as well as education and prevention services for the community. Recovery Together ENC aims to build and maintain a recovery infrastructure that bridges gaps in services, resources, and the referral process for individuals and families struggling with substance use disorder. Behind this purpose is a vision to create healthier and safer communities by institutionalizing and growing partnerships.

Learn more at www.recoverytogetherenc.com

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