Why do judges and other justice professionals need to be cognizant of trauma as it relates to court cases? Like it or not, trauma seems to be the overwhelming negative factor affecting many people who come to court. From treatment court participants to those who have experienced child abuse and neglect, “adverse childhood events” (ACE)
This blog explores how Treatment Courts can access non-monetary resources through community outreach, creative partnerships, and team-driven planning. From literacy support to job opportunities and donated incentives, asking the right questions and thinking beyond budget can unlock powerful tools for participant success and long-term sustainability.
Promoting your Treatment Court isn't about increasing participants—it's about building broad-based support to ensure sustainability. From engaging the media to leveraging public awareness campaigns, this blog offers proven strategies to raise visibility, solidify funding, and prepare your court for long-term success amid shifting political and public landscapes.
By: Helen Harberts, Guest Author Persons suffering from substance use disorders do not just suffer during government hours! Indeed, they often suffer more when they are not receiving treatment and attention from the team. Recovery is difficult and it takes a long time. Supervision works in the community, not just in the Court or the
Developing a sustainability plan is vital for launching and maintaining a successful Treatment Court. This blog explores how a well-crafted plan aligns your team, secures resources, anticipates challenges, and builds credibility with stakeholders. It’s a dynamic roadmap that supports your court’s mission from funding to community support.
By: Helen Harberts, Guest Author Most treatment courts are well aware of the importance of responding to participant behavior in a swift and certain manner. Reliable detection of good behavior and undesired behavior, with rapid responses, is the most effective form of behavior modification in the treatment court population. Most treatment courts know that severity
Within a workplace setting what does an employer do when there is a legitimate reason to believe that the employee has been abusing alcohol or taking other drugs. The law regarding employee privacy is evolving and many workplace drug testing programs should be considered open to a legal challenge. What is the right balance of
This blog compares racial bigotry to a manmade hurricane—devastating, sustained, and often ignored. It calls for the same urgency and unity we show after natural disasters to confront racial injustice, feed the “good wolf” within us, and create meaningful change rooted in empathy, truth, and self-reflection.
The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel, but millions face court without an attorney. This article explores how local court practices, judicial inertia, and funding gaps have led to systemic violations of this constitutional mandate—and what steps states like Michigan are taking to reverse course.
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Accountability: Recovery and Public Safety Can Coexist
Accountability does not have to mean punishment... -
Substance Use Disorders Are Treatable: Recovery Is Possible
Substance use disorders are treatable, and reco... -
Understanding Substance Use Disorders in the Justice System
Science has changed what we know about substanc...
