Maryland Judiciary Press Release

Harford County to Recognize Graduate of Family Recovery Court
Department of Justice Awards Court $450,000 to Fund Program

(Bel Air, MD — October 7, 2005) The state’s pioneer Family Recovery Court will honor its second graduate with a ceremony at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, October 12, immediately after the drug court session. The ceremony will take place at the Circuit Court for Harford County, Level A, 20 West Courtland St., Bel Air.

Since the Circuit Court for Harford County founded its Family Recovery Court in May 2004, one participant has graduated and 20 others have been provided with ongoing treatment services. The court is designed to function as a drug treatment court, providing intensive treatment, supervision, and comprehensive judicial monitoring to habitual substance abusing parents. The goal of the Family Recovery Court is to help reunite substance-abusing parents with their children who are in foster care or other out-of home placements.

The court’s current 18 participants are monitored by caseworkers from the Department of Social Services, attend treatment two to three times a week, and appear in court in front of Master Theodore Hart every two weeks. They also receive parenting skills training, family counseling, and assistance with housing needs.

Last month, the court received a $450,000 grant from the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to fund the court’s operational costs for the next three years.

The Family Recovery Court consists of 10 team members from the Circuit Court for Harford County, Harford County Department of Social Services, Public Defender’s Office, Legal Aid Bureau, and Emmorton Psychological Services.

With the new Department of Justice funding, the Family Recovery Court will expand services to the participants, including housing programs, inpatient treatment and other needed services.

Members of the media are invited to attend. Please contact the Court Information Office at 410-260-1488 in advance if you would like to bring a camera or for more information.

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Court Information Office Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building 361 Rowe Boulevard Annapolis, Maryland 410-260-1488
For Immediate Release	CONTACT:	Rita Buettner 410-260-1488 Sally Rankin 410-260-1488
Harford County to Recognize Graduate of Family Recovery Court Department of Justice Awards Court $450,000 to Fund Program (Bel Air, MD — October 7, 2005) The state’s pioneer Family Recovery Court will honor its second graduate with a ceremony at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, October 12, immediately after the drug court session. The ceremony will take place at the Circuit Court for Harford County, Level A, 20 West Courtland St., Bel Air. Since the Circuit Court for Harford County founded its Family Recovery Court in May 2004, one participant has graduated and 20 others have been provided with ongoing treatment services. The court is designed to function as a drug treatment court, providing intensive treatment, supervision, and comprehensive judicial monitoring to habitual substance abusing parents. The goal of the Family Recovery Court is to help reunite substance-abusing parents with their children who are in foster care or other out-of home placements. The court’s current 18 participants are monitored by caseworkers from the Department of Social Services, attend treatment two to three times a week, and appear in court in front of Master Theodore Hart every two weeks. They also receive parenting skills training, family counseling, and assistance with housing needs. Last month, the court received a $450,000 grant from the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to fund the court’s operational costs for the next three years. The Family Recovery Court consists of 10 team members from the Circuit Court for Harford County, Harford County Department of Social Services, Public Defender’s Office, Legal Aid Bureau, and Emmorton Psychological Services. With the new Department of Justice funding, the Family Recovery Court will expand services to the participants, including housing programs, inpatient treatment and other needed services. Members of the media are invited to attend. Please contact the Court Information Office at 410-260-1488 in advance if you would like to bring a camera or for more information. # # # # #