The Adolescent Substance Abuse Program is a collaborative effort between the UAB Department of Psychiatry, Substance Abuse Programs and the Jefferson County Family Court. The purpose of ASAP is to provide substance abuse screening and "triage" for all juveniles placed under the supervision of the Court. A positive drug screen (either upon admission into the program or in the Juvenile Detention Center), a drug related crime and/or admission of recent use will result in program placement. All participants are placed on random urinalysis and then assigned the program component most appropriate for their level of involvement (prevention/education, outpatient treatment, or inpatient treatment). The philosophy of ASAP is that the least intrusive intervention should be employed.

Working closely with ASAP are UAB Drug Free (outpatient drug treatment); Drug Court (intensive judicial supervision for drug offenders, and those who are not motivated to complete ASAP) and UAB/SAP Prevention. Additional programs utilized outside the UAB system include the START Program in Jasper (female residential) and The Bridge in Gadsden (male residential). While there is a minimum of three months required for completion, program participation is open-ended because many of those enrolled move among program components.

Family Court has four case managers who work with the juveniles in Birmingham and Bessemer through the UAB TASC Program. The program operates from 8:00 am - 11:45 am and 1:00 pm - 4:45 pm. Youth may leave their test between these times only. For more information please contact ASAP Coordinator at 205-325-5996.

Drug Court

Juvenile offenders with a drug or alcohol related offense may be referred to Drug Court directly from their disposition hearing. They are ordered into Adolescent Substance Abuse Program (ASAP or Juvenile TASC) may be referred to Drug Court if they do not comply with the recommendation of their ASAP case manager.

All referrals are reviewed for appropriateness by the Drug Court Team, which is composed of the Referee/ Judge, the probation officers, the drug court specialist, the deputy district, and the legal aide/ defense attorney. Drug Court will not accept a client who may not respond well to the less structured, lighter sanctioned ASAP program.

There are four phases of the program. Phase I participants attend court weekly and drug test weekly (Mondays or Tuesdays). Phase II participants attend court bi-weekly and the frequency of their drug test is determined by a color code system which they check by phone each day. Phase III participants attend court monthly and are also on a color-coded drug test system. Phase IV AFTERCARE participants attend court and leave drug tests after receiving a letter or phone call from Drug Court Specialist, who determines the timing and frequency of their involvement over a three month period. One of the key components of Drug Court that helps its effectiveness is the increased level of Court Supervision.

Compliance can be encouraged by the use of praise or negative sanctions. During the juveniles' stay in Drug Court, there are graduated sanctions for non-compliance, including but not limited to additional time in Drug Court, weekend detention, week detention, residential drug treatment, boot camp or referral to the Department of Youth Services.

Drug Court has partnered with the Gun Court Parenting classes by requiring Drug Court parents and juveniles to complete a 10 week curriculum that addresses a variety of issues including drugs, violence and anger management. Instructors for these classes are provided by community agencies, as well as, by Family Court staff.

For further information on the Jefferson County Family Court Drug Court Program you may contact the following:
Andra Sparks - Drug Court Judge (205) 325-5465
Eric Shepherd - Drug Court Specialist (205) 325-5995
Susan Moon - Drug (205) 325-5824
Daniel Frank Sudd - Drug Court Probation Officer (205) 481-4225

Court Appointed Special Advocate Program

The Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA), which provides specialty trained community volunteers to conduct independent investigations, make recommendation, monitor court orders, and advocate for necessary services for dependent children involved in neglect, or abuse cases in both Birmingham and Bessemer Divisions of Family Court, is currently serving over 90 children of Jefferson County. In 1998 the Birmingham CASA program received one of the seven JC Penney Awards, worth $1,000, for outstanding volunteerism in Jefferson County, Alabama. The program was also recommended for the $10,000 National JC Penney Award. In October 2000 they were recognized by the Child Care Resources with the Children's Advocate Award.

CASA informs the Court of viable options for the child, based on a thorough investigation of the case, so that the judge will be in a better position to make a decision, which suits the child's unique needs. CASA volunteers receive extensive training before being assigned a case. Currently, there are approximately 20 active volunteers in the program.

However, considering that approximately 400 new reports of abuse, neglect, or inadequate care are received by the Jefferson County Department of Human Resources each month, it is an understatement to say that more committed volunteers are needed.

To that end, if you know of someone who has the time, ability, and willingness to " Speak Up for a Child", please have them contact Nancy Bush, CASA Coordinator at 205-325-5019. Information about CASA may be ontained from the Alabama office at www.geocities.com/alabamacasa and at (877)625-2272. If you would like more information regarding the National CASA organization please contact the headquarters at 1-800-628-3233, e-mail them at www.staff@nationalcasa.org.

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Teen Court

Teen Court is an innovative diversion and prevention program at Family Court. Teen Court is an alternative to the criminal justice system for first time youthful offenders. It is based upon the premise that peer jury sentencing will have an immediate effect on the teen offender and cause him or her to learn from their mistakes and discontinue any involvement in unlawful conduct. Also, early intervention will reduce and prevent future unlawful conduct.

Teen Court is a REAL court for first time offenders between the ages of 13 and 18 who have been charged with misdemeanors such as shoplifting and possession of alcohol. The defendant, the teen offender, is represented and prosecuted by teen attorneys. The defendant goes before his or her peers to receive a constructive sentence for the offense for which they are charged. The teen jury will decide how the offender will be held accountable for his or her actions.

Juveniles are referred to Teen Court by the Family Court magistrates (intake officers). The magistrate offers the teen offender, Teen Court as an alternative to formal prosecution. The teen offender contractually agrees to go before his or her peers for sentencing. A referral is then made to the Teen Court Coordinator. The teen and his or her parents meet with the Teen Court Coordinator. The Coordinator will make a further determination if Teen Court is suitable for the teen. If the Coordinator finds the case appropriate, she will docket the case for a hearing. If the case is found to be inappropriate, the case is referred back to intake. During the meeting, the Coordinator explains the program to the family and explains the youth's rights.

Cases that come before Teen Court include misdemeanors such as public intoxication, shoplifting, vandalism, and disorderly conduct. Teen Court will not handle any cases dealing with violent crimes. Sentences imposed by the teen jury must fit the offense and fall within the guidelines established by Teen Court. Sentences can include community service, serving on Teen Court jury, attending a substance abuse program, finding employment, curfew, therapeutic workshops, writing an paper, or an apology letter to the victim.

The volunteers are the critical elements of the program. Adult attorney volunteers assist the teens in preparing their cases (opening statements, questioning, etc.). The assistance offered by the adults is to assist the teens in conducting a competent hearing. Additionally, the Junior League of Birmingham assist the Coordinator in monitoring teen offenders' progress in completing the sentence, registration of all volunteers and as attorney coaches.

The youth volunteers are recruited from local high schools in Jefferson County. The Coordinator will screen all prospective volunteers, and train them to participate in the Teen Court process. After teens are properly trained, they can choose from the job description, which role they would like. Youth volunteers are encouraged to serve as long as they like, up until age 18 (or upon graduating from high school). Teen volunteers serve as attorneys, bailiffs, clerks, and jurors.

Law related education is a major element of the program. The training and curriculum of the program is provided by the Alabama Center for Law and Civic Education through Samford University's Cumberland School of Law (www.ACLCE.org). This education is provided to all teens that volunteer or are ordered into Teen Court. The Teen Court Coordinator conducts orientation and training sessions for all volunteers and training packets are provided. As of July 1999, the Alabama Center for Law and Civic Education manages the Teen Court Program.

The first Teen Court session began on Tuesday, October 6, 1998. Adult volunteers are provided by Junior League of Birmingham and community attorneys. Grant funding is provided by Jr. League of Birmingham, The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and Hillcrest Foundation. If you have any further questions about Teen Court, or would like to volunteer your time for the program contact Teen Court Coordinator, at 205-325-4824.

Electronic Monitoring Program

The Electronic Monitoring (EM) Program of Family Court involves the home detention of juvenile delinquents. Although introduced to address the dilemma of juvenile detention overcrowding, EM has expanded to serve as a tool of probation as well. Pre-adjudication and pre-placement juveniles have limited opportunities to leave the house (lockdown or house arrest) and are monitored exclusively through the use of ankle bracelets. Probation level juveniles are offered a broader spectrum of monitoring opportunities (work schedules, curfews, etc.) that can employ the use of ankle bracelets (BI, Inc.) or voice-print monitoring provided by Capstone Technologies. Prior to placement on electronic monitoring, candidates are risk-assessed to determine eligibility for the program. Disqualifying factors in the EM risk assessment include, but are not exclusive to gun offense, arson, serious violent offense, and Class A felony. The Electronic Monitoring Program employs five officers that monitor each youth's daily acon about EMP, please contact Christina Smith, EMP Coordinator at 205-521-7551.

Youth Opportunity Services (Formerly Juvenile Accountability Project)

The primary objective of this program is to make juvenile offenders responsible and hold them accountable for their actions. The four components of the program are: 1) Restitution Collections - juveniles are ordered to pay back monetary losses to victims; 2) Community Service - juveniles are ordered to perform either a specific number of volunteer hours at a public or non-profit agency/organization or work on a particular project; 3) Jobs Skills Training - juveniles receive training on how to apply for, obtain and keep employment; 4) Employment Location - juveniles are assisted in finding employment to pay the restitution ordered. For further information on this program, contact Sylvia Stone, Coordinator, at 521-7556 or 481-4152.

Health Access Workers

AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteers provide Medicaid-trained staff to conduct on-site enrollment for any child that meets eligibility requirements for the Children's Health Insurance Programs. This includes eligibility for Medicaid/SOBRA, All Kids, Child Caring Foundation and Cooper Gris coordinated by Innovative Approach, Inc., Sylvia Bennett Stone. 205-521-7556.

Court Educational Enhancement Program (C.E.E.P.)

This is an on-site academic program for juveniles involved with the court who are in need of GED or basic skills preparation and are not enrolled in a school. The intent of this program is to "keep" students on the educational track. In addition, the program serves as a short-term academic placement while clients are being transitioned to other court mandated placements. Referrals are made by court order through Probation Services to the Youth Opportunity Services staff. All juveniles are screened and tested prior to entering the program. Class instructors in the Birmingham Division are provided by both Birmingham City Bd. of Education and Jefferson County Bd. of Education. Classes in the Bessemer Division are provided by the Bessemer Board of Education.

Tutoring volunteers are needed and will be trained through the City Board of Education. Birmingham classes are Monday-Thursday, either 8:00-12:00PM, 1:00-5:00PM, or 6:00-8:00PM. Bessemer classes are Tues. and Thurs. 12:00-3:00 at the Adult Community Education further information contact Sylvia Bennett Stone, 205-521-7556 or 205-481-4152.

Truancy Intervention Program (TIP)

Based on a collaborative effort between the school districts and the court system the Truancy Intervention Program is designed to detect and intervene at the earliest indication of poor school attendance. The three components of TIP are: Program for Early Attendance Childhood Help (PEACH), which addresses the attendance problems of children under the age of seven; Early Warning, which addresses more serious attendance problems before a formal petition is filed; and Judicial Implementation where a formal petition is filed if attendance problems persist after informal interventions is tried. For further information about the TIP pro the Programs Department at 205-325-5619, or Devella Malone at 205-325-5824.

Family Therapy

Families, couples and individuals, especially adolescents are referred to Deborah Harris, MA, Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor, by Family Court staff, including Judges and Probation/Intake Officers, and G. Ross Bell Detention Center physicians and staff. The counseling mainly consists of helping parents to regain authority and a loving relationship with their extremely rebellious teenagers. The counseling services are provided, free of charge, to the clients. Mrs. Harris is in the Birmingham office, Tuesdays from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., and Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 8:30 am - 12:30 p.m. She is in Bessemer every Monday and alternate Wednesdays from 8:30 am - 12:30 p.m. For mation regarding Family Therapy, please contact Deborah Harris at 205-345-5796.

Mental Health Liaison

Mental Health services at Family Court are handled through the office of the Mental Health Liaison. This position provides direct liaison services to emotionally and behaviorally disturbed children and their families. He/she conducts clinical assessments of client's needs and advocates for the least restrictive setting. The liaison works directly with the Family Court Judges, Probation Officers, and staff of the court in accessing and implementing mental health services. This program is administered through the Jefferson-Blount-St. Clair County Mental Health Authority.

The services have been expanded this year through a SAMHSA grant to JBS Mental Health Authority. This, in essence, provides at least 10 additional mental health professionals on-site at Family Court to receive referrals from Intake. If the referrals are appropriate according to the grant criteria, additional services are offered through case managers, psychologists, a psychiatrist, a therapist and a Family Advocate. The goal of the grant is to provide a seamless system of care for clients. For more information about this program, you may contact Robbyn Gurley Lawson, Mental Health Liaison at 205-325-4893.

For further information about JBS Mental Health Authority, please co5-4555 or at their web site www.jbsmha.com

Psychological Evaluations

Psychological evaluations are provided through the Jefferson-Blount-St. Clair Mental Health Authority and Glenwood. Referrals are received through Probation Services, Intake and the Court in cases of competency, waiver to adult court, residential placement or educational testing. The contact persobbyn Gurley Lawson, Mental Health Liaison. She can be reached at 205-325-4893.

Domestic Violence Liaison (DVL)

The DVL will serve primarily as the first point of contact in the Protection from Abuse process. This includes providing information for petitioners seeking orders through Family Court and for respondents who request information after petitions have been filed. The DVL will be the liaison between the Court and domestic violence services in the community. For further information contact Domestic 21-7560 or Jefferson- Blount-St. Clair Mental Health Authority at 205-595-4555.

Family, Adolescent, Counseling and Education (F.A.C.E.)

Family, Adolescent, Counseling and Education Program (F.A.C.E.) of the Salvation Army Youth Services is a day time academic and counseling program which serves adolescents who are on probation for truancy, "beyond control" behaviors at home or school and some misdemeanor-type offenses. As a result of these behaviors, the adolescent experiences failure in school. Jefferson County Family Court refers youth to the program. The aim of the program is to divert such adolescents from deeper involvement (such as actual residential placement or referral to DYS) in the juvenile justice system, by providing them with academic remediation and behavior treatment services, coordinated with services to their families.

Services that are offered to the youth and families by the Salvation Army include, but are not limited to: educational services, academic remediation and/or enrichment, special education, tutoring; individual, group, and family counseling; family support groups; behavioral aide support that teaches interaction on social skills and basic living skills; career counseling and education; sports and physical education programs; individualized instruction based on testing, need, and interest of the youth; and follow-up services. The program operates from 7:00 am - 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday, with after school and weekend school options available.

For further information on the F.A.C.E. program, or other areas of the Salvation Army, contact Cheryl Jackson, Program Coordinator, at 205-595-8343.

Crisis Intervention

The Crisis Intervention Program is offered by Gateway (formerly known as Family and Child Services) to the Jefferson County Family Court. Three beds, on the Gateway residential campus, are reserved for court referred youth for stays of up to 72 hours. Interstate and Intrastate runaways are also admitted for maximum of 72 hours, while arrangements are made to reconnect them to their state and county of origin through the Interstate Compact.

During the youth's stay, a CHINS youth will receive individual and family therapy by a Masters level clinician, and an assessment will be made. Referrals and recommendations are made to the family and to the court, including a plan to help stabilize the family and avoid relapse.

For more information about the CHINS program, please contact Caroline Allen Ross, CHINS Team Leader in her office at 205-510-2692, Herma Elliott, CHINS Resource Worker and Terence Armstead, CHINS Family Worker can be reached at 205-510-2640. If you need further information about other progr contact the Admissions Office at 205-510-2630, or after hours at 205-889-0541.

L.E.A.D. Program - Glenwood, Inc.

Glenwood, Inc., is a non-profit organization devoted to developing and implementing comprehensive programs for individuals with severe emotional and behavioral disturbances. Learning through Experiential and Adventure-based Days Program (LEAD) is a non-residential program for adolescent boys available through court order. The LEAD program was developed to provide early therapeutic intervention for youth at risk of out of home placement due to emotional or behavioral difficulties.

The focus of LEAD is to identify problem behaviors and attitudes and address them through the use of the therapeutic group process. This is done in an outdoor wilderness environment, which provides the group natural rewards and consequences for each member's behavior. LEAD is also teaching oriented, with youth participating in traditional academic, vocational and independent living skills instruction, and nontraditional educational activities concerning nature and the environment. Additionally, each youth participates in outdoor adventure activities and overnight trips on and away from Glenwood's campus. These trips include community services projects, as well as activities such as canoeing, mountain climbing and hiking.

Glenwood also provides other services, including, Day treatment, Education and Vocational Training; Outpatient and In-home Services; Child and Adolescent Residential Services; and Adult Residential Services. For more information regarding the LEAD Program or any of the services described above, please contact the office at 205-939-1993 or 205-969-2880. You can also send e-mail: GMHS@Glenwood.org.

Gun Court

The Gun Court initiative was launched by the Honorable Judge Sandra Ross Storm in January of 1995 following record numbers of gun related homicides in Jefferson County in 1994. The total number of deaths for the 1994 year was at an all-time high in the homicide rate for juveniles 18 and under in Jefferson County.

The Gun Court is a collaborative effort of the community including: the Alabama Department of Youth Services, the Birmingham Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, Jefferson County Coroner's Office, the Mayor's Office of Youth Development, the Birmingham and Jefferson County school systems, Impact Family Counseling, other local non-profit agencies and the Court.

The goal of the initiative is to provide for the public safety by reducing the number of violent crimes and handgun offenses in Jefferson County. Once a juvenile is adjudicated for a gun-related charge, the child will be held in detention, and they can either be sent to a 30-day boot camp or be committed to the Alabama Department of Youth Services.

If this is the child's first offense, they will be ordered to comply with the Intensive Supervision Program (ISP). ISP is a special term of probation that the child will complete after attending boot camp. It includes electronic monitoring, a curfew, daily check-ins, and home visits.

The Gun Court concept identifies parents as an extremely important mechanism in the intervention process. Therefore, an important goal is to require all parents of adjudicated youth to participate in a ten-week program of classes specifically designed for Gun Court. Parents ordered to attend the Parents Education Class for Gun Court are notified of the policies and procedures of the Court. Each parent is expected to comply with the court order. Failure for the parents to comply with the order can result in incarceration time for the parent. The juveniles are also required to attend classes with topics focusing on juvenile issues such as consequences of guns, gun safety, conflict resolution and anger management. The classes are taught by Probation Services staff, volunteers from Coroner's Office, Sheriff's Department and Impact Family Counseling.

The Gun Court concept calls for informing the community, juveniles, and parents of the initiative. One supposition is that informing all juveniles and parents of the potential consequences of possessing guns will result in fewer juvenile carrying guns. Two pamphlets were designed. One informs juveniles that they will be incarcerated for gun offenses. The other warns parents to monitor their children and seek help if they suspect involvement with guns.

Another component of the Gun Court is to offer an outreach program to the schools of Birmingham and Jefferson County. This allows representatives from the Gun Court team and Specialized Unit to go to the schools and educate the youth on the concerns and problems regarding juveniles and guns. Since October 1997 over 2000 students have been educated through lectures, videos and handouts developed by the Court about the Gun Court Program and its policies.

In July 1999, the Department of Justice awarded Jefferson County Commission a grant to provide for the expansion of existing Gun Court services. The plan included offering consistent services in the Bessemer Division of Jefferson County similar to that offered in the Birmingham Division. Additional staff was provided in an Assistant Coordinator for the program and an Aide in the Bessemer Division to support the probation staff in monitoring the juvenile gun offenders. The second focus of the expansion was to enhance the School/Community Outreach component throughout Jefferson County. A goal to reach at least 5000 students in Jefferson County was reached by June 2000 in a strong proactive approach to reducing gun violence.

For more information about Gun Court, please contact James Sparks, Coordinator, at 205-325-5824. If you would like more information about IMPACT, Inc. contact George Casey, Executive Director at 205-916-0123 - or e-m george@impactfamilycounseling.com

IMPACT Family Counseling

The Family Court IMPACT program is structured around a six-week cycle of classes attended by parents and their teens. The setting includes utilization of both large and small groups. A different topic is discussed each week including: communication, trust, conflict resolution, anger management, relationships, setting boundaries addictions, sexuality and the key to success. The program is conducted on Monday evenings in Bessemer and in Birmingham on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:00PM. For more information call George Casey aem at george@impactfamilycounseling.com

Explorers (Boy Scout Diversion Program)

This is one of the newest of the Family Court diversion programs. It allows juveniles who have not been adjudicated as delinquent to be referred from Probation Services to this program. The program consists of 10 meetings over 3 months including a strong Community Service component. Participants will be exposed to various career opportunities in the legal field and in the private sector. The participants are encouraged to continue their involvement in the Boy Scouting program upon completion of the Court program. For more information about the Birmingham program, contact Sylvia Bennettr information on the Bessemer Explorers, contact John Hooban at 205-481-4225.

Operation Nighttime Crime Eradicators (O.N.C.E. Program)

The O.N.C.E. Program is modeled after the Boston "Night Light" Program. This was one of numerous programs implemented several years ago in Boston as a community initiative to reduce juvenile violence. The O.N.C.E. Program is a joint effort by law enforcement officers and probation officers to provide after hours curfew checks on juveniles on Court supervision. Law enforcement and probation officers "partner" at night making home checks, serving pick-up orders on probation violators, and serving legal summons. The responsibility for this program lies within Proervices. The coordinator for the program is Emanuel Washington, 205-325-5486.

Department of Human Resources Liaison

This person is DHR's first point of contact in assessing new cases filed regarding dependency, abuse and neglect at Family Court. Because the liaison is on-site at the Court, it allows the processing of those cases to be expedited. The liaison is available to all courtrooms and Intake Officers when DHR is actively involved in a case, or to access services through DHR if the need arises in court. This position provides a liaison for the Court staff in coordinating services to families to avoid The DHR Liaison, Valencia Curry, can be reached at 205-325-8748.

Batterer Intervention Classes

These classes are specifically designed for the identified violent offenders in the Protection from Abuse petitions filed through Family Court. This 16-week program consists of a series of structured training sessions and support groups. The program is designed to teach participants to stop or prevent violence through: learning new ways to communicate, developing alternative actions and reactions, learning how to accept and how to control anger, and gaining a new self-image. These classes are provided on-site by Gateway. For more information, contact Wes Goodenough at 205-328-6010.

Senior Aide Program

Senior Aides are provided through the Birmingham Regional Planning Commission to aid with clerical and receptionist duties at Family Court. For information concerning participation in this program, contact Birmingham Regional Planning Commission at 205-251-8139.