Nearly $3.7 Million in Federal Funds Awarded to Help New Reclaiming Futures Sites Turn Teen Lives Around

New federal funding has been awarded to expand the Reclaiming Futures model into three more juvenile drug courts across the country over the next four years.
The nearly $3.7 million federal investment was announced by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). RWJF is providing approximately $1 million in additional technical assistance to implement the Reclaiming Futures model.

“With this latest investment, the Reclaiming Futures model will now be in 26 communities across the nation,” said Laura Nissen, national program director for Reclaiming Futures. “We are honored that the federal government is supporting this innovative approach and helping us spread the model to even more communities where teens need our help.”
Grantees include:

• Colorado Judicial Department, Denver, CO. Award amount: $424,435 from OJJDP for a four year period; $198,915 from SAMHSA/CSAT per year for up to four years depending on performance and availability of funds.

• Superior Court of California County of Ventura, Juvenile Drug Court, Ventura, CA. Award amount: $425,000 from OJJDP for a four year period; $200,000 from SAMHSA/CSAT per year for up to four years depending on performance and availability of funds.

• Cherokee Nation, Tahlequah, OK. Award amount: $425,000 from OJJDP for a four year period; $200,000 from SAMHSA/CSAT per year for up to four years depending on performance and availability of funds.

“Our collaboration with CSAT and RWJF will enhance and expand treatment services offered through juvenile drug courts, implement a system of care to coordinate social services, and increase community opportunities for youth and their families,” said Jeff Slowikowski, acting administrator of OJJDP.  
The goal of the Juvenile Drug Court Reclaiming Futures Program is to serve substance-abusing juvenile offenders by developing and establishing juvenile drug courts with the Reclaiming Futures model, and including best practices for adolescent treatment to reduce substance abuse among participating youth.
 
“Most juveniles admitted to treatment are referred from the criminal justice system,” added Eric Broderick, acting administrator for SAMHSA. “These grants will use practices proven to help young people get off drugs and back on track toward building fulfilling lives.”
Go here for background about the Reclaiming Futures initiative, its partners, and these awards to help communities improve the lives of teens caught in the cycle of drugs, alcohol, and crime.
UPDATE: Don't miss our top 10 posts about the juvenile justice system and adolescent substance abuse treatment -- or our 8 great resources to improve adolescent substance abuse treatment.