The El Paso County Board of Commissioners at its regular meeting Tuesday recognized the Family Treatment Drug Court. The program is the first in Colorado to receive the accreditation.

The El Paso County Board of Commissioners at its regular meeting Tuesday recognized the Family Treatment Drug Court. The program is the first in Colorado to receive the accreditation.

The El Paso County Board of Commissioners at its regular meeting Tuesday recognized the Family Treatment Drug Court. El Paso County is the first county program to receive the accreditation in the state.

“This team is leading the state of Colorado in how we serve citizens to become self-sufficient,” said Commissioner Cami Bremer.

Family Treatment Drug Court offers tools to help strengthen families with intensive in-home, family dedicated services, and help move families to self-sufficiency. The team strives to divert children involved in child protection cases from foster care, so they can stay with their families in a safe environment. It teaches parenting skills and reduces risk factors in homes as well as eliminating parental substance abuse using assessment, treatment and monitoring.

The Family Treatment Drug Court in the Fourth Judicial District is a collaborative effort with Magistrate Jami Vigil, Division Q court clerks, the Department of Human Services, El Paso County attorneys, Guardian Ad Litem, Respondent Parents’ Counsel and Savio House.

“The individuals here have been phenomenally dedicated to the program,” Magistrate Vigil said. “That dedication is why we were the first accredited program in the state.”

Accreditation is important recognition, and benefits the program. The Family Treatment Drug Court will have priority to access resources including training and technical assistance. Accreditation also means the program may be prioritized for additional resources designated for Problem Solving Courts.

Problem-solving courts were developed in the 1990s to address specific needs and problems of offenders that were not or could not be adequately addressed in traditional courts. Such courts seek to promote outcomes that will benefit the offender, the victim and the community.

The Fourth Judicial District has six problem solving courts to focus on specific challenges including Child Support Court – Responsible Parent Program; Domestic Violence Court; Driving Under the Influence Court; Recovery Court; and Veterans Trauma Court.