Monday, March 24, 2025
1:30pm–2:30pm
Corpus Christi Ballroom

Plenary Session #1
Standard IV Overview - Phase Structure
Judge Rick A. Williams (All Rise)

This presentation outlines the basic behavior modification principles and their applicability in keeping participants engaged in treatment court programs and moving toward long-term recovery. It looks at how programs can use participant-driven incentives to formulate a strategy of creative responses that are desirable to the participant and productive behaviors that give the participant an opportunity to be rewarded through positive and negative reinforcement. It identifies the importance of incentives, both formal and informal, and their application in the program. The presentation recognizes the effect of immediate consequences in modifying client behavior.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn how incentives motivate participants to comply with program requirements.
• Identify various creative incentives that can be used to respond to the client's conduct.
• Learn that incentives must be consistently and uniformly imposed.

Monday, March 24, 2025
2:45pm–4:00pm
Corpus Christi Ballroom

Workshop Session #1 (ADULT)
Treatment Court Data: How to Capture, Use It, & Engage Community Partners
Lisa M. Williams (NCSC)

This session will empower teams to implement or improve data monitoring practices and what to expect when working with an independent evaluator. The session will cover tracking recidivism, participant performance and outcomes, education for team members on timely and accurate data collection, and will also discuss ways to utilize data to engage advisory groups and/or steering committees and develop community buy-in. Easy-to-use data tools and templates will be electronically displayed and provided after the session to all attendees, and are relevant to all treatment court types, regardless of data collection methods/systems.

Learning Objectives:

• Get to know WHY treatment courts collect data and what national research recommends for setting key performance indicators.
• Learn creative ways to utilize and display data for program improvement and educate leadership and community partners to increase buy-in and support (templates and tools will be provided to attendees).
• Know what to expect when collaborating with an independent evaluator and how to interview evaluators.

Monday, March 24, 2025
2:45pm–4:00pm
Nueces A

Workshop Session #1 (VET)
Transforming Trauma Into Triumph for Our Veterans
Dr. Kenneth Robinson (CCI)

Research has shown that 7 out of 10 people will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives. These adversities are predictive of a wide range of negative physical, mental, and social outcomes that can last a lifetime. This workshop aims to help participants understand the complex nature of trauma and its aftermath. We will explore the different types of traumas, their prevalence, and how to build a trauma-informed care approach. Additionally, we will discuss trauma-specific therapies, recovery, and how to regain control after experiencing a traumatic event.

Learning Objectives:

• Define and recognize what trauma is.
• Analyze the different types of traumas and how prevalent they are.
• Understand common responses to trauma and evidence-based practices to treat trauma through recovery.

Monday, March 24, 2025
2:45pm–4:00pm
Bayview

Workshop Session #1 (JUV/FAM)
Adolescent & Family Recovery Capital 101 for JDTCs & FDTCs - Part 1
Martha-Elin Blomquist, Ph.D. (NCJFCJ) & Nancy Castillo

This module will assist Juvenile Treatment Courts in applying the principles of recovery capital to improve operations and enhance positive youth development. There is emerging research about the importance of assessing, supporting, and building individual recovery capital in youth to ensure long-term success. While there are several models, recovery capital generally refers to the varied internal and external resources that a person needs to build and maintain recovery for the long term. For most youth, the recovery process requires a range of supports across multiple domains to reduce risk.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and engage community resources and local service providers.
• Learn how to identify missing youth-oriented recovery resources and engage community partners to help provide those resources.
• Adjust staffing, court procedures, treatment, case management and service planning to reflect recovery capital principles.
• Use a pre-and post-program recovery capital assessment tool to measure levels of change in youth.

Monday, March 24, 2025
2:45pm–4:00pm
Aransas

Workshop Session #1 (RECOV)
Not About Us Without Us: The Voices of Family Drug Court Alumni Panel
Francesca Nadalini

This session will entail a facilitated discussion with several graduates/alumni from the PIR/FDTC program. The Travis County Parenting in Recovery/Family Drug Treatment Court (PIR/FDTC) is a family treatment court program located in Austin, Texas that serves parents who have an active Child Protective Services (CPS) case due to their substance use disorder. Each parent has their own multidisciplinary team that collaborates to provide tailored services to support the parent's unique recovery journey and uplift them toward achieving their goals. Our alumni speakers will offer first-hand accounts into what services kept them sober and focused on recovery, how their lives have changed since graduation, how they would update or change the program and answer questions from audience members. There will also be a discussion regarding how to best get feedback from both your active participants and alumni.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn what drug treatment courts doing right from the view of the participants
• Understand where drug treatment courts could improve from the view of participants.
• Know what questions you should be asking your active participants to gauge their perceived progress while in the program, as well as your alumni post-graduation/discharge, to improve program quality.

Monday, March 24, 2025
2:45pm–4:00pm
Nueces B

Workshop Session #1 (MISC)
That's Confidential: The Roles & Responsibilities of Prosecutors & Defense Attorneys in Treatment Courts (Ethics)
Judge Rick A. Williams & Mike Loeffler (All Rise)

The standards of conduct for prosecutors and defense attorneys support being involved in programs that improve the justice system. Treatment courts that operate within best practices are proven effective criminal justice interventions. Prosecutors and defense attorneys can work within the treatment court model to help participants make decisions that improve their lives beyond their court involvement. Not only does the participant benefit, but the community benefits from reduced recidivism and cost savings. This session will examine best practices and how attorneys can effectively operate within the system.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify standards of conduct for prosecutors and defense attorneys in treatment court.
• Learn how to advocate for the client within the non-adversarial principle of treatment court.
• Review best practice standards from the attorney's perspective.

Monday, March 24, 2025
4:15pm–5:30pm
Nueces B

Workshop Session #2 (ADULT)
Leveraging University Partnerships
Kevin Edwards & Dr. Haley Zettler

Specialty courts are data-driven programs that can benefit significantly from collaborations with universities. This presentation will explore how such partnerships can enhance program monitoring, evaluation, and improvement. By partnering with universities, specialty courts can gain valuable insights into program effectiveness, identify areas for growth, and secure additional funding. This presentation will provide practical guidance for specialty court professionals seeking to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with academic institutions.

Learning Objectives:

• Developing effective relationships with universities
• Exploring opportunities for funding through university collaborations
• Understanding how university partnerships can improve program outcomes through research

Monday, March 24, 2025
4:15pm–5:30pm
Nueces A

Workshop Session #2 (VET)
Identifying Justice-involved Military Early & Accurately, Connecting With Creative Resources, & Respecting Military Experiences in Treatment Courts
Lisa M. Williams (NCSC)

With a focus on early and accurate identification for Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) participants, this session will include creative ways to engage with court staff, law enforcement, Veteran Organizations, and the community to promote local VTC programs and ensure all justice-involved U.S. military persons are identified and offered assistance! The session will also include discussions on civilian court professionals working with veteran and active-duty populations, how and why VTCs differ from other treatment courts, and how to engage with justice-involved veterans in other dockets if you do not have an active VTC in your local area. Templates will be electronically displayed and provided after the session to all court program types.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn to apply processes to identify current and former military early and accurately in VTCs, including VJO (Veterans Justice Outreach) and other Veteran organization partnerships, VRSS (Veterans Reentry Search Service, jail, pre-trial, arraignment, and court staff outreach and examples (templates will be provided to attendees).
• Discuss court professionals working with military populations and respecting unique military experiences and treatment needs.
• Explore options and services available to other treatment court types serving justice-involved veterans/military.

Monday, March 24, 2025
4:15pm–5:30pm
Bayview

Workshop Session #2 (JUV/FAM)
Adolescent & Family Recovery Capital 101 for JDTCs & FDTCs - Part 2
Martha-Elin Blomquist, Ph.D. (NCJFCJ) & Nancy Castillo

Following Part 1, this module will continue teaching to assist Juvenile Treatment Courts in applying the principles of recovery capital to improve operations and enhance positive youth development. There is emerging research about the importance of assessing, supporting, and building individual recovery capital in youth to ensure long-term success. While there are several models, recovery capital generally refers to the varied internal and external resources that a person needs to build and maintain recovery for the long term. For most youth, the recovery process requires a range of supports across multiple domains to reduce risk. Recovery Capital Community Resource Mapping – The facilitator for this session will lead an exercise on AROSC Community Resource Mapping. The major goal of community resource mapping is to ensure that all youth have access to a broad, comprehensive, and integrated system of services essential in achieving desired program and post-program outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

• Use a pre-and post-program recovery capital assessment tool to measure levels of change in youth.
• Recovery Capital Community Resource Mapping – The facilitator for this session will lead an exercise on AROSC Community Resource Mapping.
• The major goal of community resource mapping is to ensure that all youth have access to a broad, comprehensive, and integrated system of services essential in achieving desired program and post-program outcomes.

Monday, March 24, 2025
4:15pm–5:30pm
Aransas

Workshop Session #2 (RECOV)
Recovery Support Services - Peer Coaching Works!
Justin Holland & Trinity Moore

Our Drug Courts' counseling partner, the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Deep East TX implemented a new program two years ago - Recovery Support Services which utilizes Peer Recovery Coaches. They are trained Peer Recovery Specialists in a paid position to assist our participants. We have three appointed to our two Drug Courts who attend both staff meetings and court. Our Peer Recovery Specialists are lifesavers! They are gap fillers for daily needs that our participants have, that our team members are not equipped to handle. In this workshop, attendees will understand not only what the Recovery Specialists do, but how they are trained and paid, and most importantly the difference that they make - not only with our participants completing our programs, but in the long-term. Sobriety for life is their goal. We believe any Specialty Court would benefit from a similar program and hope to inspire other Specialty Courts to add Peer Recovery Coaches to their team.

Learning Objectives:

• Utilizing Peer Recovery Coaches helps Participants Succeed
• Peer Recovery Coaches add Value to the Specialty Court Teams
• Adding Peer Recovery Coaches is an Asset Your Team can Implement

Monday, March 24, 2025
4:15pm–5:30pm
Corpus Christi Ballroom

Workshop Session #2 (MISC)
The Importance of Team Building
Dr. Kenneth Robinson (CCI)

This presentation highlights the essential role of team building in creating a positive and productive workplace. By focusing on team dynamics, communication, and collaboration, it underscores how cohesive teams drive organizational success. Through real-world examples and evidence-based insights, participants will discover how team building enhances employee morale, fosters innovation, and strengthens overall performance. The session provides practical strategies for cultivating a strong team culture, effectively resolving conflicts, and promoting a collaborative environment that supports both individual and collective growth.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the critical impact of team building on achieving organizational success.
• Develop effective strategies to create and maintain a positive team culture.
• Learn practical conflict resolution techniques to foster stronger and more cohesive teams.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025
10:00am–11:00am
Corpus Christi Ballroom

Plenary Session #2
The New Drug Trend of “Dabbing,” the Use of E-Cigarettes, & Edibles in the Drug World
Tall Cop

This in-depth session covers the recent trend of marijuana concentrates, waxes and oils. This is quickly becoming the primary option for many drug users of all ages. The session will include information on associated terms and logos, new paraphernalia (including e-cigarettes & vape pens), vape pens for “other synthetic” drugs, odors associated with the drug, signs and symptoms of using the drug, the drug's potency and appearance, marijuana identification, new marijuana products sold in dispensaries, and marijuana edibles.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and understand key terminology, logos, and paraphernalia associated with marijuana concentrates, including e-cigarettes, vape pens, and other related devices.
• Recognize the signs, symptoms, and potency of marijuana concentrates, including waxes, oils, and edibles, and their effects on users.
• Evaluate and differentiate between various marijuana products, including new items found in dispensaries, and identify methods for recognizing marijuana in its different forms.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025
1:00pm–2:15pm
Corpus Christi Ballroom

Workshop Session #3 (ADULT)
MAT & MOUD in Treatment Courts
Corina Freitas (NCSC)

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the biology of addictions
• Set clear treatment objectives
• Understand what Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is and how it works
• Recognize the effectiveness of MAT in reducing substance use and recidivism.
• Address common misconceptions and concerns about MAT in the criminal justice system
• Explore how MAT can be integrated into treatment courts to improve public safety and recovery outcomes
• Identify barriers to MAT access for justice-involved individuals and strategies to overcome them.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025
1:00pm–2:15pm
Aransas

Workshop Session #3 (VET)
Risk Needs Responsivity Model in Veteran Treatment Courts
Terri Williams & Cynthia Gray

This workshop is designed for professionals in the fields of forensic mental health and criminal justice who are involved in the assessment and treatment of individuals within the criminal justice system. It aims to deepen participants' understanding of risk assessment and evidence-based intervention strategies. Attendees will explore key concepts such as static and dynamic risk factors and the principles that underpin effective forensic interventions. The workshop will include a mix of lectures and interactive discussions. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts in the field, share experiences, and develop practical skills that can be applied in their professional practice. By the end of this workshop, participants will have a solid understanding of risk factors in forensic mental health, be familiar with the RNR model, and be equipped with practical tools to enhance their intervention and treatment planning processes

Learning Objectives:

• Review risk in forensic mental health terms (static and dynamic factors) and evidence-based principles for effective forensic interventions
• Introduce the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model
• Discuss how RNR shapes intervention and/or treatment planning and service delivery at state and local levels.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025
1:00pm–2:15pm
Nueces A

Workshop Session #3 (JUV/FAM)
Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines: An Overview & Pathway to Better Outcomes
Martha-Elin Blomquist, Ph.D. (NCJFCJ)

This module introduces participants to the history, development, and operations of Juvenile Treatment Courts (JTCs). Much like their adult counterparts, Juvenile Treatment Court programs have moved through stages of development and operations. To provide a framework based on research and evidence, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines were introduced in 2016. This session explores the history and research to date, the conceptual framework of the Guidelines, and provides participants with an overview of each of the Guidelines. Participants will learn practical tips for the implementation of the Guidelines.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the history and stages of development of Juvenile Treatment Courts, the 16 Strategies in Practice, the Office Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Juvenile Court Guidelines, and the Cross-Sites Evaluation Study.
• Discuss the seven Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Objectives and corresponding Guidelines, and how each is reflected in current or pending practice.
• Develop a working knowledge of the Guidelines, the importance of following the Guidelines, and tips for implementation.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025
1:00pm–2:15pm
Bayview

Workshop Session #3 (RECOV)
The Case for Fathers: Building a Father-Friendly Court
Dallin Belt (HHSC)

In this session, statistics around the impact of father-involvement and the benefits and importance of engaging with fathers will be discussed using the Protective Factors framework. The realized impacts of Fatherhood EFFECT will also be shared as a case study. Additionally, lessons learned over a decade about the intersection of prevention efforts for fathers and court systems will be presented, highlighting the need for father-friendly and inclusive processes. Finally, best-practices for creating a father-inclusive environment will be discussed and applied to the context of Specialty Courts.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be presented with lessons learned from a statewide fatherhood program.
• Participants will understand the intersection of fatherhood programs and court systems.
• Participants will learn best-practices for engaging with fathers in a Specialty Court setting.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025
1:00pm–2:15pm
Nueces B

Workshop Session #3 (MISC)
Life After Death: Overcoming Childhood Trauma
LaTasha Williams (Cheryl's Voice)

This presentation covers a true story of a child left behind due to witnessing the murder and suicide of her parents. Speaker covers in detail the unfolding of finding out what lead up to the tragedy and how she overcame it; past, present, and future. This workshop is to assist organizations working with teenagers and adults suffering from childhood trauma, be successful in their programs, whether it be, probation, bond, court program, etc. The resources and skills given has been used to improve long-term success.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the effect of domestic violence on children as well as their families.
• Understand Risk factors in domestic violence situations for children as well as adults
• Understand and identify areas where you can utilize your role to assist victims of DV

Tuesday, March 25, 2025
2:30pm–3:45pm
Corpus Christi Ballroom

Plenary Session #3
When Sanctions & Incentives Don't Work: Responding to Addiction Driven Non-Compliance
Vanessa Matthews (All Rise)

Incentives and sanctions, also known as contingency management, are essential to treatment court success. When properly used, they are a powerful tool for improving client behavior and program outcomes. Treatment courts achieve better outcomes when practitioners understand the science behind behavior management and apply the principles. The research is clear—reliably impacting participant behavior requires both consistent reinforcement of positive behaviors and reliable responses to undesirable behaviors. Nonetheless, despite our best intentions (and perhaps the best intentions of the participants), sometimes incentives and sanctions don't work. For some participants, our responses to behavior seem to have no impact. To truly change behavior, we must understand and respond in ways consistent with decades of research and achieve the desired outcome. This requires understanding who the individual is, what risks and needs they present, and setting up programming that carries the best chance of lasting behavior change. We discuss the essential elements of effective behavior modification in a treatment court and reveal what actions a program should consider when its efforts appear futile. This session will examine the difference between compliance and behavior change, effective practices in responding to behavior, and setting up programming based on the individual's risk and need.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the science underlying incentives, sanctions, and other responses in treatment courts.
• Understand the essential elements of effective behavior modification in treatment courts.
• Discuss when contingency management doesn't work and actions a program can take to address those causes of failure.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025
4:00pm–5:15pm
Bayview

Workshop Session #4 (MISC)
How to Partner With Your County to Maximize Support for Your Specialty Court
Judge Aurora Martinez Jones & Brook Son

This workshop will detail ways in which judicial leaders can partner with local governmental departments to implement innovation, garner support, and fill resource gaps. Discussion will include practical approaches and strategic partnerships in navigating local political challenges.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn various effective approaches to judicial leadership in specialty courts.
• Learn how effective partnership in local government can provide support for best practices in specialty courts.
• Learn innovative approaches to advocating for specialty courts to garner local support and fill resource gaps

Tuesday, March 25, 2025
4:00pm–5:15pm
Nueces A

Workshop Session #4 (MISC)
An Inside Look at Support Initiatives, BeST Assessment/Peer Review Process, & Grant Application Review
Erin Morgan, Amber Gregory, Judge Elizabeth Rainey

This session will cover progress and ongoing projects related to specialty court support at the Office of Court Administration, tips for completing the BeST Assessment for your court, the purpose and process of peer reviews, and how to avoid common pitfalls in your CJD grant application.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn how your program can stay engaged with ongoing efforts to provide statewide support to specialty courts, and what OCA is currently working toward
• Gain effective methods to accurately and fully complete the BeST Assessment to reflect the positive impact of your program.
• Learn the benefits of participating in the peer review process, both as a reviewer and a reviewee.
• Hear what grant reviewers are looking for in your CJD grant application and how to avoid common errors and pitfalls resulting in reduced or denied funding.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025
4:00pm–5:15pm
Aransas

Workshop Session #4 (MISC)
DV/IPV Language Matters
Amber Middleton & Lindy Hall

This session will discuss best practice language surrounding DV/IPV and the way we discuss participants who have experienced or are currently involved in these relationships, with a strong focus on how team members discuss DV/IPV when the participant is not present (such as pre-court staffing). It is important that team members understand that the language they choose to use in these situations shapes the way the survivor is seen by the system as a whole and the way the survivor will come to see themselves. This session will discuss focusing on and naming the behaviors of the induvial causing harm as well as protective factors the survivor has used up until this point to keep themselves and their children safe. This session will focus on empowering survivors and preventing re-traumatization.

Learning Objectives:

• Utilize Empowering, Survivor-Centered Language - Apply best practices in language to respectfully and accurately discuss survivors of DV/IPV, especially in contexts where the survivor is not present, to support a trauma-informed, empowering approach.
• Center Perpetrator Behaviors Over Labels - Focus on describing the specific behaviors of individuals causing harm rather than using stigmatizing or generalized labels, ensuring a clear and objective perspective.
• Acknowledge Survivor Resilience and Protective Actions - Recognize and highlight the protective actions survivors have taken to safeguard themselves and their children, reinforcing their agency and resilience.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025
4:00pm–5:15pm
Nueces B

Workshop Session #4 (MISC)
Engaging Families, Schools, & Community
Martha-Elin Blomquist, Ph.D. (NCJFCJ) & Nancy Castillo

This module introduces practitioners to the importance of ensuring healthy development for Juvenile Treatment Court participants by working collaboratively with families, schools and community providers to meet the diverse needs of youth within the Juvenile Treatment Court program. This session will introduce the participant to relevant Guidelines on each topic (family, schools and communities). An exercise for engaging and strengthening outcomes for the families will be provided.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the importance of and techniques for engaging families, including improving court involvement/attendance, and treatment involvement.
• Explain the research related to family engagement and outcomes in Juvenile Treatment Court programs.
• Discuss policy development or changes necessary to strengthen family, school and community engagement
• Develop “take away” policy changes, programs or referrals to meet needs of youth and families.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025
4:00pm–5:15pm
Corpus Christi Ballroom

Workshop Session #4 (MISC)
10 Guiding Principles in '25: Examining Effective Practices With High-Risk/High-Need Impaired Drivers
Jessica Lange (All Rise)

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
8:30am–9:30am
Corpus Christi Ballroom

Plenary Session #4
Evaluation 101 for Treatment Court Researchers: What to Collect & How to Measure It
Tara Casanova Powell (All Rise)

Adherence to adult treatment court best practices is essential to conducting a successful program that appropriately addresses the risk and needs of participants and achieves optimal participant outcomes. Evaluating treatment court programs is critical to identify whether these best practice standards are being met. However, there are specific guidelines that must be followed to properly conduct an objective, thorough assessment that follows sound research methods. Program data is often misused, misinterpreted, or simply misunderstood when attempting to identify ways to improve treatment court programs. This session will address these items and provide a roadmap to conduct a meaningful evaluation to properly identify not only where adjustments may be needed, but to also recognize and those elements that contribute to the strengths of the program.

Learning Objectives:

• How to conduct evaluations that are balanced and adhere to ethical and legal research principles.
• How to measure key performance indicators using sound data and methods.
• How to identify data components that are necessary to assess the effectiveness of your program and what areas of the program need improvement.
• How data should be collected, maintained, and analyzed.

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
9:45am–10:45am
Corpus Christi Ballroom

Workshop Session #5 (ADULT)
10-ish Things You Might Not Know Best Practices Tells Courts to Do
Judge Elizabeth Rainey

When is the last time you truly took a deep dive into the Best Practice Standards for specialty courts? The fine print so meticulously crafted by experts in our field holds nuggets of information, statistics, and action plans we should all be making to ensure our courts more successful. This is no 30,000-foot overview! This session will take a walking tour through the recently updated Best Practice Standards and give real world examples of what to implement (and how).

Learning Objectives:

• Overview of Best Practice Standards (especially new updates)
• Proper courtroom interaction with participants
• Application of Incentives, Sanctions, and Service Adjustments

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
9:45am–10:45am
Aransas

Workshop Session #5 (VET)
Intimate Partner Violence in VTCs
Casey Taft, Ph.D (NCSC)

This talk will focus on the role of trauma and negative life events with respect to use of intimate partner violence. This includes a review of important models for understanding violence and its impacts, and an exploration of factors that can increase the risk of violence. Strength at Home will be discussed as an intervention that uses a trauma informed approach to work with people who use violence. Program elements will be discussed, as well as the research evidence for the intervention.

Learning Objectives:

• Review social information processing model for intimate partner violence.
• Discuss Strength at Home program strategies for motivating those who use intimate partner violence to change.
• Describe recent research on Strength at Home programs.

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
9:45am–10:45am
Nueces A

Workshop Session #5 (JUV/FAM)
Family Treatment Court Guidelines
Judge Aurora Martinez Jones & Amber Middleton

This training session provides an in-depth overview of the Family Drug Court (FDC) Guidelines, outlining best practices and strategies for effectively operating an FDC. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the structure, purpose, and implementation of these guidelines to improve outcomes for families affected by substance use disorders.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the role and purpose of Family Drug Courts in addressing parental substance use and child welfare.
• Review the key principles and best practices established in the Family Drug Court Guidelines.
• Identify essential components of a successful FDC program, including collaboration among stakeholders.
• Examine strategies for improving outcomes for children and families involved in FDCs.
• Discuss challenges and solutions in implementing the guidelines effectively.

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
9:45am–10:45am
Bayview

Workshop Session #5 (RECOV)
Building a Stronger Recovery: Family Engagement & Involvement Multidimensional Family Therapy, An Evidence-Based Program
Doris Perdomo-Johnson (NCSC)

Treatment courts may be hesitant or experience challenges in actively involving family members in a participant's treatment court program. Research indicates that involving and engaging family members strengthens a person's recovery and can improve a participant's involvement with the treatment court program. In this workshop we will discuss and learn from the interventions used by Multidimensional Family Therapy, which has strong, positive outcomes in engaging family members.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain a greater understanding of the role and the importance that family engagement can have on a participant's recovery.
• Learn about family engagement and recovery, through the lenses of an evidence-based model.
• Identify strategies to increase family engagement and involvement in a participant's treatment court program.

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
9:45am–10:45am
Nueces B

Workshop Session #5 (MISC)
Trauma Informed Care Responses While Maintaining Specialty Court Program Integrity
Elizabeth Mederos & Linda Milburn

This workshop offers multi-disciplinary team members an experiential learning opportunity focused on trauma-responsive approaches and action-oriented solutions, using case study examples. Participants will gain the tools to shift the paradigm on trauma, enabling them to provide effective, trauma-informed services to specialty court participants. Specialty drug courts aim to promote abstinence and family reunification, but participants often exhibit maladaptive behaviors due to psychological trauma. The workshop will explore evidence-based behavioral health treatments and address the challenge of retraumatization within the multi-disciplinary team dynamic. By adopting trauma-responsive approaches, team members can support participants in their recovery, reduce recidivism, promote family reunification, and prevent retraumatization while adhering to court guidelines and best practices.

Learning Objectives:

• Educate multi-disciplinary team members about the pervasive effects of trauma.
• Equip multi-disciplinary team members to prevent re-traumatization of clients by learning about trauma responses utilizing case study collaboration.
• Empower multi-disciplinary team members to shift the paradigm about trauma to provide effective trauma responsive service approaches.

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
11:00am–12:00pm
Corpus Christi Ballroom

Plenary Session #5
Is Your Court Really Trauma Informed?
Doris Perdomo-Johnson & Judge Peggy Davis (NCSC)

As problem-solving court professionals, we know that our participants have likely experienced at least one or more traumatic events in their lives. These trauma experiences affect the way individuals respond to the court process. When court professionals are aware of how participants may experience team members' actions, communication style, and legal system structure, they can make modifications to create a safe environment which will enhance the participant's engagement in the process and avoid re-traumatization. This session will help provide tools and insight into how to avoid re-traumatization when appearing in court for status hearings and/or other legal matters.

Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will gain competency in addressing court participants to ensure they are feeling safe and are not at risk of being re-traumatized in the court.
• Attendees in the role of a judge or court teams will increase their verbal repertoire practices, what to say, not say, how to say it.
• Attendees will have guidelines to assess their courtroom environment and provide a safe environment.