Treatment Court Leadership with Pennsylvania’s Abbey Geffken

Justice Speaks Podcast #76

In this episode of Justice Speaks, the Justice Speakers Institute welcomes Abbey Geffken, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of Treatment Court Professionals. A respected voice in treatment court leadership, Ms. Geffken shares her professional journey, the development of Pennsylvania’s treatment courts, and her strategic vision for advancing training, outreach, and statewide impact. This episode is sponsored by Reconnect.

About Abbey Geffken

Ms. Geffken was born and raised in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and earned her degree in anthropology from Bloomsburg University. With a professional background in human services, she became engaged in the treatment court field in 2008 by helping to establish both an adult drug court and a DUI court. Her early experiences in these collaborative, community-based programs led to a deep and ongoing commitment to advancing treatment court initiatives throughout the Commonwealth.

Ms. Geffken’s Treatment Court Leadership in PA

Ms. Geffken became involved with the Pennsylvania Association of Drug Court Professionals as a volunteer working on the annual conference and was elected secretary in 2013. In 2021, she was appointed as Executive Director, and under her leadership, the association underwent a significant transition—including changing its name to the Pennsylvania Association of Treatment Court Professionals to better reflect the broader scope of courts and services it supports.

Ms. Geffken provides an overview of the association’s membership model, which is currently centered on participation in the annual conference. Now entering its 26th year, the October conference has grown substantially in both attendance and scope. It features expert presenters from across the state and nation and includes sessions on topics such as sanctions and incentives, co-occurring disorders, and effective collaboration with law enforcement. Ms. Geffken notes that registration for the conference opens in July and will be available on the association’s website.

Expanding the Association’s Impact

Recognizing the need to serve a broader range of professionals, the association is exploring new membership incentives and additional services for those unable to attend the annual conference. Ms. Geffken emphasizes the importance of ensuring that training and networking opportunities are accessible and responsive to the evolving needs of treatment court teams across the state.

The conversation also highlights the association’s growing efforts in outreach and strategic partnerships. Under Ms. Geffken’s leadership, the association has expanded its community engagement, formed alliances with other state and national organizations, and enhanced its presence through social media. Initiatives have included hosting a press conference at the Pennsylvania Capitol and participating in National Recovery Month to raise awareness of the effectiveness and impact of treatment courts. The association also plans to present at the 2025 Criminal Justice Advisory Board Conference in Pennsylvania.

Challenges and the Future of Treatment Courts in Pennsylvania

Despite these advancements, Ms. Geffken acknowledges ongoing challenges, particularly related to fundraising and capacity-building. She identifies the need for increased resources to provide year-round training on evidence-based practices and best practice standards. To strengthen collaboration with law enforcement—a key partner in the success of treatment courts—the association recently formed a dedicated Law Enforcement Engagement Committee.

Looking toward the future, Ms. Geffken envisions a more robust and regionally active association that offers multiple in-person training opportunities across Pennsylvania. She also aims to elevate the association’s role in policy development by securing a stronger voice in legislative discussions in Harrisburg.

This episode offers a thoughtful exploration of the practical and strategic efforts required to sustain and grow a statewide network of treatment courts. Ms. Geffken’s leadership and commitment to innovation, education, and cross-sector collaboration provide a model for treatment court professionals and justice leaders across the country.

We wish to thank Ms. Geffken for joining us on Justice Speaks.  We also wish to thank Reconnect for sponsoring this podcast episode.