Family Drug Court Offers Alternative to Jail Time

Is a family strong enough to handle the drug conviction of a parent? The Kearney Hub recounted the story of the Colter and Lindsey Bronstad as the first family to go through Phelps County Family Drug Court.

Through the provision of accountability and rewards, family drug court offered the Bronstad’s an alternative to going to jail and watching their three young children be placed in foster care. The program gives parents facing substance abuse charges an opportunity to keep the family intact while getting the help they need.

Both Colter and Lindsey Bronstad report positive results from the program. Both have reported growth and Colter was even able to resist a recent temptation to be able to choose what was best for his family.

Family drug court is designed to work through phases. In the first phase, the family will meet once a week with the judge, court attorney, family attorneys, the legal guardian for the children, caseworkers and CASA workers. Intense accountability at this beginning stage is essential for long-term success.

As the family moves through the stages, hearings take place twice a month until the family has entered phase 5. At that point, the case is then reviewed periodically. Graduations from each phase generally mean gift certificates, cakes and small gifts for the family.

Program directors believe the frequency of meeting with the families makes it more difficult to fall into old behavior patterns. Rewards and recognitions are designed to show that the courts and all those associated with the process are invested in the family’s success.

While in the program, participants agree to frequent and random substance testing, cooperate in substance abuse treatment programs and often receive education and training for skills such as parenting and vocational.

 

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