Mothers graduate to lives without drugs and with their children 
 
WHAT: Family Treatment Court Graduation    

WHEN: Friday, November 4th – 11am –1pm 
 
WHERE: Moultrie Courthouse 500 Indiana Ave, NW  

John Marshall Level – Courtroom JM-8 
 
WHO:  The Honorable Lee F. Satterfield, Presiding Judge of Family Court   The Honorable Anita Josey-Herring,  Deputy Presiding Judge of Family Court/ Family Treatment Court Judge    Brenda Donald Walker, Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth, Families and Elders  

Program details:  

• Family Treatment Court is a year-long comprehensive substance abuse treatment program for mothers and female guardians of children who are the subject of a child neglect allegations.  Those who participate stipulate to the allegations of neglect.
• The first six months of treatment take place in a treatment facility in which the women reside along with up to four of their children who are under age eleven.
• The treatment facility provides on-site services as well as community-based services, including substance abuse education and treatment, parenting skill workshops, counseling and childcare.
• If the participant successfully completes the residential phase, they participate in a formal graduation ceremony and proceed to the community-based aftercare phase.  It is this formal ceremony – the fifth such ceremony – that will take place Friday, November 4.
• The DC Addiction Recovery and Prevention Administration (APRA) is the program’s aftercare treatment provider.
• Through the collaborative efforts of the Mayor’s Service Liaison Office, which is located within the Family Court, and stakeholder partnerships, the women who participate in the Family Treatment Court are assisted in efforts to obtain housing, jobs, and educational opportunities.    

 
NOTE:  Judges will be available for interviews.  Mothers may also be available for interviews, with their permission.  

Cameras and recorders must be cleared in advance by calling (202) 879-1700.