North Carolina Judicial District 21: Reclaiming Futures Juvenile Drug Treatment Court

OJJDP and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are collaborating to enhance the capacity of states, state and local courts, units of local government, and Indian tribal governments to develop and establish juvenile drug courts conjointly with the Reclaiming Futures program model to serve substance abusing juvenile offenders. This program supports the implementation of juvenile drug court programs, using best practices in substance abuse treatment, along with the Reclaiming Futures program model. This program is authorized by 42 U.S.C. Section 3797u.

The Forsyth County Juvenile Treatment Court (FJTC) will utilize an evidence based approach addressing substance abuse while enhancing public safety through the reduction of recidivism, reduction in the use of the detention center, reducing substance abuse among program participants and their families through intensive treatment, and the establishment of a strong collaborative effort among juvenile justice staff, treatment providers, schools and community agencies. In addition to the larger goals mentioned above and consistent with the Reclaiming Futures model, objectives of the FJTC are to increase the number of youth receiving assessment; assess youth in a more timely manner; improve service coordination, initiation and engagement into evidence based treatments; and transition youth successfully beyond treatment. The population to be served by this program is non-violent youth ages 12-16 who misuse alcohol and/or other drugs and are engaged in the juvenile justice system due to juvenile delinquency. Youth will be screened and assessed for the program with the use of the GAIN-Short Screener, and the GAIN-Initial assessment. The project will use the evidence based treatment practices of Seven Challenges and Motivational Interviewing to help juveniles be successful. The immediate goals of reduction in alcohol and drug use, increased school attendance, and compliance with the court will be measured by an increase in the number of youth receiving treatment services and community support services beyond the treatment period. Progress towards these goals will be measured by the use of the GAIN-M90, and NCTOPPS outcome tools. The juvenile drug court will integrate key community members of Forsyth County Reclaiming Futures in this program as a way to implement a continuous process of program improvement. CA/NCF