1	S T A R S Specialized Treatment and Recovery Services ENGAGING AND MOTIVATING FATHERS IN AOD TREATMENT
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3	PROGRAM SUMMARY Sacramento County – Population 1.5 Million Approximately 17,000 substantiated child abuse cases 70 – 80 percent of all cases involve substance abuse
4	Sacramento County Prior to STARS & Dependency Drug Court Reunification rates of approximately 20-25 percent. Parents unable to access AOD treatment. Social Workers, attorneys and the courts often uninformed about parent progress. Drug testing not uniform and results often delayed.
5	Sacramento County after STARS and Dependency Drug Court. Reunification rates at 40 – 45 percent. Reunification is occurring twice as fast. Parents truly have “treatment on demand”. All parties involved in the case are informed at every stage of treatment. All parents receive random observed “instant” drug testing.
6	STARS GOAL Affect client change – by removing barriers to treatment and providing support Provide CPS/Dependency Courts with accurate and reliable documentation
7	Obstacles to Change Late-stage addiction Resistance to “The System” Lack of hope Fathers often dismissed in Dependency cases
8	Barriers Facing Fathers The Child Welfare case often originates with the mother, creating or reinforcing fathers denial. Men are less likely to be able to ask for help or show vulnerability. Women dominate the social services field. Women often dominate co-ed treatment. Fathers don’t have healthy role models.
9	Achieving our Goals INTAKE SUPPORT PHILOSOPHY INTANGIBLES
10	INTAKE Father is immediately assessed for AOD issues at Detention Hearing. Each parent is assessed individually, helping to break denial surrounding significant other. Facility Location Rapid intake
11	"Immediate access to treatment" Immediate access to treatment Immediate contact with Recovery Specialist – gender specific.
12	Three Strategies for Working With Fathers Use of Motivational Interviewing Techniques Role-modeling Accountability
13	Motivational Interviewing Alternative to theory that denial and resistance must be smashed Described as “Dancing” not “Wrestling” Works well with men as it eliminates the power struggle.
14	Incorporating the Four Principles of Motivational Interviewing in the STARS Program
15	Expressing Empathy Gender specific – men work with men Recovery Specialist is in recovery Trained to utilize limited self-disclosure Willing to provide help “no matter what”
16	Supporting Self-Efficacy Demonstrating that recovery can work Alumni groups Support group on site Motivation, encouragement and support
17	Roll with Resistance Father participates in determination of level of treatment Father encouraged to always have a “plan” Recovery Specialists never argue. Support, Support, Support
18	Develop Discrepancy Tap in to fathers desire to be “in charge”. Point out behaviors and actions inconsistent with healthy fathers.
19	Role Models Recovery Specialists are: Certified addiction specialists Believable and approachable Comfortable with some self disclosure Non-punitive in approach
20	Accountability Our belief is that when we combine an empathetic supportive environment with one that stresses accountability we are able to create change in a profound way Each father we work with is encouraged to accept responsibility for every action he participates in.
21	Intangibles Belief in Redemption and Recovery Overcome prejudices that exist We give 100% for clients 100% Passion
22	A Fathers Perspective
23	"Change attitude that it’s mother’s..." Change attitude that it’s mother’s duty Father has a responsibility Create support system for the father – separate from the mother Specific groups targeting fathers Recovery is independent of reunification
24	LOVE, PASSION AND HOPE
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