FRC Manual

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Charles County
Family Recovery Court

FRC Logo

CIRCUIT COURT FOR CHARLES COUNTY

200 Charles Street
La Plata, Maryland 20646

301-932-3286

 


WELCOME

Thank you for choosing to enter the Family Recovery Court ("FRC") program.  The FRC is different from other programs you may have tried in the past, and it doesn't operate like a regular Court.  The FRC provides a team dedicated to supporting your sobriety.  The team members include: the Drug Court Judicial Officer; the Drug Court Coordinator; the Family Resource Specialist; the Assistant Case Manager; the Department of Social Services Case Manager; the participant's attorney; the child's attorney; the Addictions Specialist; Parole and Probation representative; and the Recovery Coach.  The FRC's main goal is to help you be a better parent to your child.  The FRC will work closely with you to support your treatment plan and help you to stay clean and sober.  Experience in other family drug courts around the country shows that simply by participating in the FRC, you are twice as likely to be reunited with your child and be a part of your child's life than those parents who are not in the program.  

We understand drug and alcohol addiction, recover, and living sober.  The Court's Family Resource Specialist will monitor your treatment progress carefully.  If you need additional services, such as mental health support, continuing education, or transportation assistance, the Family Resource Specialist can help you quickly arrange for those services.  The Family Resource Specialist will document all of your efforts and report what you are doing to all the key persons involved in your child's case:  the Court, the DSS Case Manager, your lawyer, and your child's lawyer.  Your substance abuse counselor is an important part of the FRC team and will monitor your treatment progress carefully, making sure that you are in the appropriate level of treatment to support your recovery.


WHAT IS A RECOVERY SERVICE PLAN?

If you are accepted into the FRC Program, you will be required to follow a Recovery Service Plan.  This begins with a complete assessment of your needs, and may require:

  • Substance abuse treatment (possibly in a residential setting)
  • Frequent and random drug and alcohol testing
  • Counseling – both individual and group
  • Self-help/sober support activities
  • Educational or vocational programs

The Family Resource Specialist will also help you with other areas of your life according to your individual needs. These may include:

  • Skills testing and an educational assessment
  • Educational services
  • Vocational training
  • Job placement services
  • Family counseling
  • Life skills classes
  • Recreational and cultural activities
  • Referrals for assistance with legal issues
  • Referrals for public assistance and Medicaid

WHY SHOULD I PARTICIPATE IN THE FRC?

The FRC Program requires a great deal of effort on your part.  You can expect to be in the program and working on your Recovery Service Plan for at least 12 months, on average.

The FRC Program offers you the chance to move forward in your life with a new outlook and new skills.  The program will help you take control of your life in many ways.  You will learn to not abuse drugs and alcohol, and you will learn to recognize the triggers that lead you to substance abuse.  Even more important are the things you learn how to do: being honest and truthful; eating right; reducing stress; becoming fully employed; rebuilding family relationships; and being a productive member of the community.

We're here to help you...but no one said it would be easy.


WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE FRC?

  • Honesty and integrity from all FRC staff
  • Opportunities to talk to the FRC Judicial Officer
  • Entering into initial treatment promptly after your assessment
  • Access to many different services
    • Transportation assistance
    • Parenting skills training
    • Employment/vocational assistance
    • Mental Health support
    • Life Skills training
  • Frequent monitoring to help you maintain sobriety
  • Regular reports to the Court to document your efforts in your treatment program
  • A team dedicated to supporting your recovery


WHAT DOES THE FRC EXPECT OF ME?

BE TRUTHFUL.  The FRC Program is designed to HELP YOU, and your honesty is essential to your recovery.

Arrive at all hearings, service provider meetings, and other appointments on time.  If you are unable to keep a scheduled appointment, you must contact the Family Resource Specialist and the provider.

Inform the FRC Team promptly of any changes in your home address, mailing address, or phone number.

Follow the Recovery Service Plan and the recommendations of your treatment provider including attending assessments, keeping treatment appointments, submitting to urinalysis or other forms of testing when requested, and attending 12-step meetings.

Download and install the Reconnect testing and appointment application to your smart phone and consent to it's use.

Dress appropriately for all court appearances (in-person or remotely) -- no shorts, tank tops, muscle shirts, crop tops, inappropriate themes or pictures, hats, or revealing clothing.

Respect the opinions and feelings of other people in the FRC program. Verbal or physical threats to anyone will not be tolerated.

Your face must be visible for the entirety of all remote hearing.  Eating, smoking, driving, or secondary conversations are prohibited while participating in remote hearings.

Address the FRC Team and all Court personnel respectfully.

Do not schedule appointments on the days you are to be in Court. If a conflict is unavoidable, and you have a valid reason for missing a Court date, you must contact the Family Resource Specialist before Court to explain why you will not be able to attend, and provide documentation to verify attendance at the conflicting activity (e.g., doctor's note, note from employer).

You are required to report all drug and alcohol use at each Court appearance.

  • Substance use may result in sanctions and increased treatment requirements or other therapeutic responses.
  • Lying about substance use will result in sanctions and possible termination from the FRC Program.
  • Any medications that a doctor prescribes for you must be reported to the FRC Team before you fill the prescription.


FRC REQUIREMENTS

Every time you attend a Family Recovery Court hearing, the FRC team meets prior to the start of Court. Team members include, but are not limited to, the FRC Judicial Officer, representatives from the Department of Social Services, the DSS Attorney, a child's attorney, a member of the Public Defenders Office, treatment providers, and the FRC Case Manager.  Team members report on your progress and your compliance with the program requirements. Communication among all members of the FRC team is part of sharing information and ensures that your case plan meets your needs.  Furthermore, the FRC Judicial Officer may receive information from team members and program providers at different times when you are not present.  No decisions will be made about your status in the FRC without giving you an opportunity to be heard and to provide information to Court. If you meet the program requirements, you will make progress in your recovery and move forward through the program phases toward graduation. 

If you do not follow the rules, you may remain in a lower program phase, may have more requirements added, and it will take longer to restore your relationship with your child.

Attendance

You must attend all meeting, appointments, treatment sessions, and court hearings. You must follow your Recovery Service Plan and attend:

  • Meetings with the Family Resource Specialist
  • Drug and alcohol treatment sessions
  • Appointments and classes with other programs
  • 12-Step Sessions
  • Court Hearings
  • Scheduled and random alcohol/drug tests

Do Not Use Addictive Substances

You may never use drugs, alcohol, or non-prescribed medications.  If you are taking any over-the-counter medications or prescribed medications, you must give the Family Resource Specialist and your substance abuse counselor a list for approval.

In addition, there are some substances that may cause you to test positive on drug and alcohol screens and should be avoided.  They include poppy seeds, mouthwash, cologne, insect spray, and hand sanitizers.

Medical Use of Marijuana

Use of marijuana for medical purposes will not be allowed without a letter from a doctor demonstrating the medical need.  If approved by the FRC staffing team, medical marijuana use will be closely monitored. If you are on supervised parole or probation, you should know that using marijuana could violate your probation or parole and lead to jail time.

Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil

CBD oil made from hemp could be permitted, with a letter from a doctor; however, CBD oil made from marijuana will be reviewed more closely.  Again, if you are on supervised parole or probation, you should know that using marijuana could violate your probation or parole and lead to jail time.

Update Your Contact Information

You must always keep the Court up to date regarding your current address, mailing address, telephone number (including cell phone numbers), and any other contact information.  Any changes should be reported immediately to the Family Resource Specialist.  And, you should notify the Family Resource Specialist right away if you are arrested or incarcerated.

Appearance

Dressing appropriately is part of your recovery.  You are expected to wear neat, clean clothes for every appointment and Court appearance.  Sometimes, you may be coming to Court directly from your job, and on those days it is okay to wear your work clothes.  Sun glasses and hats are not allowed in Court and cell phones and pagers must be turned off.  Generally, you should not wear tank tops; low cut necklines; extremely short skirts or pants; tightly fitting clothing; or clothing with references to drgu or alcohol use, inappropriate language or gang symbols for any FRC appointment, activity, or Court appearance.

If you need assistance with getting appropriate clothing, please contact the Family Resource Specialist.

Behavior

Courtesy is expected.  The following actions are not tolerated and could lead to your termination from the FRC program:

  • Violence or threats
  • Use of obscene language 
  • Possession of any type of weapon
  • Inappropriate sexual behavior or harassment


RULES OF OTHER PROGRAMS

During your time in the FRC program, you may be referred to other services or programs. You must follow the rules of treatment providers, transportation services, or any other service provider.  If there is a conflict between the rules of the FRC and another program, please immediately report the situation to the Family Resource Specialist.  We can help you work out a plan to comply with both programs.


SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT

Treatment can either be inpatient or outpatient based upon your assessment and your individual needs.  The Family Recovery Court Program consists of four phases, lasting a minimum of one year.  Each phase consists of specific treatment goals, activities, and requirements that you must meet before moving to the next phase.


PROGRAM PHASE DESCRIPTION

The Family Recovery Court is a four-phase program that lasts a minimum of one year.  The total length of the program will vary based on individual progress.  Each phase consists of specific treatment goals, activities, and requirements that must be met before moving to the next phase. Advancement through the treatment phases is based on participant progress and ability to remain focused on meeting all program rules and expectations.