Harris County Juvenile Probation Drug Court

1. Harris County Juvenile Probation Drug Court Honorable Michael Schneider 315th District Court Harris County, Texas

2. Mission of the HCJPD Juvenile Drug Court It is the mission of the Harris County Juvenile Drug Court to reduce substance use and related delinquent behavior among participants while increasing pro-social behavior.

3. Our Vision As participants in the Harris County Juvenile Drug Court reduce substance use, it is our vision that they will increase positive behavior by repairing and strengthening family relationships as well as improving their educational performance.  Participants will be assessed individually to determine the appropriate education plan so that success can be achieved.  Additionally, each participant will be encouraged to engage in positive activities which will enable the juvenile the best opportunity to be successful. The Harris County Juvenile Drug Court will support the youth in achieving their goals through treatment and therapeutic services for the participant and their family, advocating in the schools, accountability for grades and attendance, and encouraging and providing opportunities to not only explore but also engage in activities of interest to the youth.  Upon graduation from the Harris County Juvenile Drug Court, the Judge will grant the participant’s application to seal records, therefore providing the juvenile with a fresh start. 

4. Participant profile HCJPD Juvenile drug court seeks to work with Post-adjudicated youth, age 14-17 who have exhibited a moderate-to-severe substance abuse problem, as evidenced by commensurate impairments in social, academic, and other functioning as well as non-compliance with previous intervention efforts. Exclusionary Criteria: • Current or prior offenses involving force against another person • Current or prior offenses involving carrying, possession, or use of a firearm or dangerous weapon • Current or prior offenses involving death or serious bodily injury to another person • Presence of a severe mental illness (Schizophrenia spectrum, Intellectual/Developmental Disorders)

5. Components of our team • Judge • Defense attorneys • District attorney • Court supervisor • Case manager/parent liaison • Juvenile probation officers • psychologist

6. Role of the judge • Presides over each review hearing • Ensures fairness of responses and interventions • Develops a meaningful and personal relationship with each youth and parent • Reinforces sanctions/responses to relapse or non-compliance • Reinforces response/incentives for positive change

7. Role of defense attorneys • Advocate for the safety of the community • Recommend sanctions/responses to non-compliance Role of District attorneys

8. Role of case manager/parent liaison • Screen all potential candidates for possible participation in the Drug Court Program • Conduct initial interviews with the parents • Prepare referrals to be presented to the team for acceptance • Procure services for youth and families • Provide assistance to families seeking community based resources and government assistance • Provide support for parents/caregivers • Attend Drug Court Review Hearings

9. Role of Juvenile probation officers • Provide intensive supervision of all participants • Minimum of one face to face visit per week • Conduct random urinalysis • Provide written weekly updates to the Drug Court Team • Complete Violation of Probation paperwork should youth commit new offenses or continue non-compliant behavior

10. Role of juvenile probation officer Con’t • Complete Return to Court Summary paperwork should a youth be detained or return to court for new offenses or violations of probation • Conduct Motivational Interviewing with youth to elicit change within the participants • Monitor participant attendance in treatment • Regular communication with the parents • Regular communication with schools to monitor attendance, behavior and grades • Establish a rapport and relationship with the youth and families so that programs can be tailored to the individual

11. Role of the Court Manager • Synchronize the team • Plan and Schedule the Drug Court Docket • Ensure that each participant is assigned a Drug Court Defense Attorney or Assistant Public Defender • Supervise the Juvenile Probation Officers and Parent Partner/Case Manager • Disseminator of Case information to the  team at large • Assist with case planning

12. Role of psychologist • Responsible for the initial clinical assessment of the youth • Ascertain history of, and motivations for, substance use • Ascertain Motivations, readiness, and barriers for change • Dynamics underlying drug use • Discuss past intervention attempts • Develop initial treatment plan based on risks and needs. • Modify treatment plan throughout probation • Work with treatment providers to ensure continuity of care

13. Referrals to the Drug Court • Evaluated by Case Manger/Court Manager • Qualifies with regards to TX State Statutes • District Attorney Policies • History of Drug Use • Assessments • Specific Drug Assessment • Psychological Evaluation • Parent Interview • Psychologist Evaluation • Reviews Assessment • Conducts Clinical Interview • Staffing to Discuss Findings (Psychologist, Probation Staff, Parent Partner) • Recommendation to the DC Team

14. Drug Court Demographics • 82 youths have participated in DC Program • Males = 70 Females = 12 • Racial Distribution • Black = 16 White = 66 • Ethnicity • African America = 16 Anglo = 15 Hispanic = 51 • Program Completion • 73% Successfully Complete Program • 27% Unsuccessful Completion