C4 – Leading Systems Change through the Family Treatment Court Movement: A Coordinated Statewide Strategy        

States and local jurisdictions are applying research and practices that have emerged from family treatment courts to improve outcomes for families in the child welfare system who are affected by substance use disorders. Reforming systems successfully to expand the reach to all families requires state and local collaboration. This session will highlight lessons from the Statewide System Improvement Program and feature a state and local practitioner who will discuss the benefits and challenges of this approach. Participants will learn strategies to enhance practice and improve outcomes for all families who are involved in the child welfare system due to parental substance use and/or mental health.

Presenters: Tessa Richter, Center for Children and Family Futures, Lake Forest, CA; Megan Kearsley, Colorado Judicial Branch, Denver, CO