Report from the Field: Hardin County, Ohio

Despite the fact that synthetic marijuana use is soaring around areas like Hardin County, Ohio, we continue to successfully break the cycle of drugs, alcohol and crime using our proven six-step model. At a recent site visit, we found that Reclaiming Futures Hardin County has: 

• Strong, committed teamwork that uses a holistic, seamless, coordinated system of support for teens
• Effective, solid partnership with Ohio Northern University – good evaluation and site analysis with the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN) data, and impressive internship development
• Cohesion: Probation, Behavioral Health Services and Recovery School all under one roof
• Superb GAIN rates, particularly upon follow up
• Many Evidence-Based Treatment options
• Well-implemented service coordination, with many positive pro-social activities (fishing, scrapbooking, archery, 4-H club, and community service opportunities) 
• Great local partnerships, for example, teen financial literacy training with the local credit union 
• Strong sustainability strategy
• Good representation at Juvenile Treatment Court staffing/team meeting, with input from many partners around the table
• Good communication with parents, evident by their attendance at the Juvenile Treatment Court hearing and positive interactions during family updates and high school graduation celebration at court
• Excellent feedback from youth and parents during interviews after court
• Wonderful community activities and exceptional fundraising events

Kudos to the Reclaiming Futures team in Hardin County, Ohio!

Pictured clockwise from upper left: Project Director Khrystal Wagner shows off fishing equipment, a scrapbooking display, Hon. Steve Christopher, judicial fellow, and Susan Richardson, national executive director Reclaiming Futures, share a moment at the bench.
Related Hardin County blog posts:
http://www.reclaimingfutures.org/blog/successfully-tackling-generations-substance-abuse-and-crime
http://www.reclaimingfutures.org/blog/celebrating-success-hardin-county-ohio
http://www.reclaimingfutures.org/blog/community-members-help-teens-hardin-county-ohio
http://www.reclaimingfutures.org/blog/teens-learn-teamwork-and-patience-building-gingerbread-houses
Reclaiming Futures helps communities break the cycle of drugs, alcohol and crime. Learn more at www.reclaimingfutures.org.

Susan Richardson is national executive director for Reclaiming Futures. Formerly, she was a senior program officer in the health care division of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust in North Carolina, where she led a three-year effort involving the state's juvenile justice and treatment leaders to adopt the Reclaiming Futures model by juvenile courts in six North Carolina counties. She received her B.S. in Public Health, Health Policy and Administration, from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.