Sec. 264.801. FAMILY DRUG COURT PROGRAM DEFINED    


Latest version.
  • In this subchapter, "family drug court program" means a program that has the following essential characteristics:

    (1) the integration of substance abuse treatment services in the processing of civil cases in the child welfare system with the goal of family reunification;

    (2) the use of a comprehensive case management approach involving department caseworkers, court-appointed case managers, and court-appointed special advocates to rehabilitate a parent who has had a child removed from the parent's care by the department because of suspected child abuse or neglect and who is suspected of substance abuse;

    (3) early identification and prompt placement of eligible parents who volunteer to participate in the program;

    (4) comprehensive substance abuse needs assessment and referral to an appropriate substance abuse treatment agency;

    (5) a progressive treatment approach with specific requirements that a parent must meet to advance to the next phase of the program;

    (6) monitoring of abstinence through periodic alcohol or other drug testing;

    (7) ongoing judicial interaction with program participants;

    (8) monitoring and evaluation of program goals and effectiveness;

    (9) continuing interdisciplinary education to promote effective program planning, implementation, and operations; and

    (10) development of partnerships with public agencies and community organizations.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 268 , Sec. 1.63, eff. September 1, 2005.