CFF is assisting in the evaluation the Dependency Drug Court in Sacramento County. The Juvenile Dependency Court, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Children's Protective Services (CPS) Division will be lead partners in this undertaking. The need for a Dependency Drug Court in Sacramento county was based upon the high percentage of court cases (over 80%) in which parental substance abuse was a driving factor in the child abuse/neglect allegations leading to court action. Sacramento will be modeling its program based upon San Diego's Dependency Drug Court implemented the program in October 2001.

At the initial court hearing clients receive the services of an Early Intervention Specialist (EIS), who conducts an AOD assessment and refers the client into an appropriate, authorized treatment program. The EIS manages the AOD component of the case until the Jurisdictional-Disposition Hearing. At that point if reunification services are ordered the client is also ordered to participate in the Specialized Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS) component. STARS workers are assigned for follow-up services. The STARS workers maintain a supportive and monitoring relationship with the client, with a special emphasis upon engagement and retention in treatment and providing a liaison function among the court, CPS, and AOD treatment. The court and CPS workers are provided with reports concerning the client's treatment progress and drug test results and the Bench Officer imposes rewards and progressive sanctions in response to the client's progress. More intensive court monitoring is offered to clients who have difficulty complying with requisite court orders. The full continuum of community-based AOD treatment prograns are utilized within this program, with assessment and treatment matching standards aligned with the Alcohol and Drug Services Division existing system of care.

CFF's evaluation will include a process, impact, and cost study of the Sacramento Dependency Drug Court project. Substance abuse treatment compliance, time to permanency and child safety are the major outcomes targeted. Existing county information systems will be used to monitor and evaluate the program outcomes. A component analysis of services received by families will be used to determine the active and significant program elements including "dosage" of early intervention, AOD assessment and treatment placement, STARS, court oversight, rewards, sanctions, and varying program phases, and levels of intensity. The effectiveness and cost efficiency of the program will be compared to that of standard services and if possible, similar Dependency Drug Court endeavors. Finally, a participatory quality improvement process will be used in the development and interpretation of the evaluation by key program stakeholders. The evaluation of this model with substance- affected, child welfare involved mothers and young children will provide critical new information concerning the interventions which positively impact these high risk families. For more Information contact Nancy Young.