Overview
Family treatment courts serve children, parents, guardians, and families involved in the child welfare system when substance use is a contributing factor to child abuse or neglect. These courts aim to protect children, ensure they have safe and nurturing permanent homes, and help parents achieve stable recovery from substance use disorders.
More than 400 family treatment courts operate in communities across the United States. Courts use a multidisciplinary approach to meet family needs, providing intensive judicial monitoring and access to comprehensive, family-focused services, interventions, and other supports. Courts operate collaboratively with community partners in child welfare, substance use treatment, and related services to address family members' needs and build on their strengths.
Funding and Programs
Family Treatment Court Program
Funding from OJJDP's Family Treatment Court program supports efforts by state and local courts, local government units, and federally recognized Tribal governments to establish, enhance, and expand family treatment courts. OJJDP-funded family treatment courts work to respond to the entire family's needs, providing treatment, recovery, and other services that address and reduce the use of opioids, stimulants, and other substances.
Publications
- Drug Treatment Courts
- Family Treatment Court Best Practice Standards
- In Focus Fact Sheet: Drug Courts
- National Study of Family Treatment Court Best Practices, Outcomes, and Costs, [United States], 1993-2022
- Overview of the Innovative Family Treatment Drug Court Model in Kentucky
- Transitioning to a Family-Centered Approach: Best Practices and Lessons Learned from Three Adult Drug Courts
Recordings
- Answering the Call: Case by Case (Opioid Affected Youth Initiative Podcast)
- OJJDP Family Drug Program Performance Measures Training (Webinar)
- Planning Decisions To Successfully Launch Family Drug Court (Webinar)
- State of the Field: Family Treatment Courts—Justice to Healing (Podcast)
Stay Informed
OJJDP is a component of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) in the U.S. Department of Justice. For updates on programs that support communities and advance justice throughout the country, subscribe to Justice Programs News & Funding a twice-monthly email newsletter. To receive weekly updates on open funding opportunities, sign up for Funding News, a notice of new grant releases and application tips.