Equity and Inclusion in Family Treatment Courts
Overview
August 28, 2018
Family Treatment Court (FTC) is a promising model in achieving positive outcomes for families affected by substance use disorders and involved in the child welfare system. As FTCs work towards achieving these outcomes, it is important to assess whether the improved recovery, safety and permanency outcomes achieved for FTC participants are similarly experienced by individuals of all genders and diverse racial and ethnic groups.
This Café Conversation shares key opportunities for the FTC field and partner agencies to more closely examine their courts to ensure fairness and equal access to its program. The discussion highlights the descriptive findings of a data set from a federal initiative determining whether racial disproportionality and disparities existed amongst a cohort of families participating in FTCs. These findings were published in the inaugural issue of the Journal for Advancing Justice. Through collaboration and quality implementation, agencies and systems can partner together to increase access to comprehensive and coordinated services. This discussion also highlights examples of FTCs that have examined this issue and taken important steps to ensure equity and inclusion for all children and families in the child welfare system affected by parental substance use disorders, regardless of gender, race, or ethnicity.
There are numerous learning opportunities and resources to enhance learning. The 30-minute introductory video corresponds with a Team Discussion Guide to help facilitate conversations amongst FTC practitioners. The Café Conversation webinar recording features a discussion between practitioners from two FTC programs and a Tribal Law Specialist from the Tribal Law and Policy Institute. They share their experiences and expertise in ensuring equity and inclusion in their communities. A Call to Action Guide is provided to support viewers taking important next steps.
Panelists/Presenters:
- Russ Bermejo, Senior Program Associate, Children and Family Futures
- Jill Murphy, Program Supervisor, King County (WA) Family Treatment Court
- John Wiesner, Program Manager, Bridges, Inc.
- Lauren van Schilfgaarde, Tribal Law Specialist, Tribal Law and Policy Institute
Learning Objectives:
1. Explore the context of racial disproportionality and disparities in the justice, treatment and child welfare systems and how FTCs are in a unique position to be part of the solution or a contributor to these injustices
2. Learn how other FTCs are monitoring and addressing gender and racial disproportionality and disparities in their programs
3. Identify practical next steps for FTC practitioners and teams to ensure equal access and outcomes for all participant families
FDC Learning Academy Podcast Post Webinar Q/A with Judge Aurora Martinez Jones
Live Cafe Conversations
Learning Opportunities
Grantee TTA Projects
OJJDP and CFF currently offer in-depth technical assistance to six Statewide System Improvement Program (SSIP) Awardees: Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Ohio, New York, and Guam. Find out more about how these states are implementing systems reform to expand FDCs’ scale and scope—increasing FDCs reach into child welfare and substance use disorder treatment systems and ensuring the delivery of a full range of comprehensive services for families.
In 2016 the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention funded 12 FDCs. This funding opportunity aligns with the national FDC movement working to increase FDC’s capacity and scope of services to children and families. Of the 12 new OJJDP grantees, six sites were awarded implementation funding to create new FDC programs within their jurisdictions and six were awarded enhancement funding to expand the capacity and augment services among their existing FDC programs. Three tribal sites were awarded implementation funding to help bring Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts to tribal jurisdictions.
