3rd District Juvenile Court - Family Recovery Court

The mission of the Family Recovery Court is to address substance use disorders through an intensive, structured program designed to preserve families while ensuring the safety and well-being of children. This mission is accomplished through court-based collaboration and an integrated service delivery system serving parents whose children have come to the court’s attention due to abuse or neglect.

The Family Recovery Court operates through a multidisciplinary drug court team that includes the judge, guardian ad litem, assistant attorney general, parent defense counsel, DCFS drug court specialist, clinical coordinator, program administrator, and drug court coordinators. This team works collaboratively to support participants, monitor compliance with treatment and court-ordered requirements, and respond to participant progress.

Each participant completes a comprehensive drug and alcohol assessment and is placed in treatment based on the assessment results. Participants are required to submit to frequent, random drug testing. The judge and team review each parent’s progress biweekly. The average length of participation in the program is approximately 11 months.

The court uses a system of incentives and sanctions, applied as appropriate, to reinforce compliance, accountability, and progress. The ultimate goal of the Family Recovery Court is to achieve timely permanence for children in a safe, stable, and drug-free environment.

For more information please contact: Juanita Washington 801-238-7718 or email juanitaw@utcourts.gov