N.M. 8th Jud. Dist. Taos ADC Policy and Procedures 12

considered for acceptance to TADC. After the client’s successful completion of 24

weeks in TADC, credit for client’s time in another program will be considered based

on a review of 1) the client’s progress in TADC, 2) the other program’s policy and

procedures, and 3) the client’s progress in the prior program.

B. Taos Adult Drug Court excludes felony offenders where:

1. The criminal charges against a defendant pertain to crime(s) resulting in death;

2. The criminal charges against the defendant involve an offense (s) that resulted in the

actual infliction of great bodily harm and/or great mental anxiety on the victim(s);

3. The defendant is pending charges or on supervised probation for a crime that involves

allegations of use of a firearm and subject to a firearm enhancement at sentencing;

Exceptions are allowed to be made on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of the District

Court judge.

IV. Referral to Taos Adult Drug Court:

A. Offenders may be referred to the TADC by the:

1. Prosecuting Attorney,

2. Defense Attorney,

3. District Court judge,

4. Magistrate Court judge,

5. Adult Probation/Parole Department,

6. Children, Youth and Families Department,

7. Health Care Assistance Program (HCAP),

8. DWI County Compliance,

9. Local treatment provider.

B. A referral packet should include:

1. Referral form approved by TADC program, which includes a statement from the

referral source as to why they are referring the individual to Drug Court,

2. Copy of police report regarding the client’s arrest,

3. A copy of the Conditions of Release, Judgment and Sentence, Order of Conditional

Discharge, Order of Probation Violation, Plea Agreement pending imposition of

Sentence, or the executed Pre-Prosecution Diversion Contract.

4. Any pre-sentence reports and assessment reports available to the Court, and

5. Any and all information provided from CYFD, if applicable.

C. A referral should include the following consideration: at the time of acceptance to the

TADC program, the potential client should ha ve enough court-imposed supervision

remaining during which to complete the TADC program; exceptions will be considered on

a case-by-case basis.

D. A referral packet will be submitted to the treatment team for processing. Upon receipt of

the referral pa cket, the treatment team will schedule a meeting with the potential client.

The meeting will involve client screening, as well as initial interviews.

E. Treatment Team Screening Process:

1. The Contractor will screen all referrals to the program.

2. No cost will be incurred by potential clients for the screening process.

3. The Contractor will obtain all relevant medical information, if applicable.

4. Potential clients shall submit a list of all medications being taken, whether prescription

or otherw ise. Potential clients who are currently prescribed narcotic or stimulant

medications shall be referred for a medication consultation with their prescribing

physician upon acceptance into the program, to ensure they are provided

pharmacological alternatives that will adhere to program requirements.

5. The Contractor conducts the screening of the potential TADC client using evidence

based best practice tools, such as the RANT, and completes a written report of the

results.

6. After the assessment process is completed, the potential TADC client will be instructed

to meet with the Contractor the following Wednesday to learn the status of their

acceptance into the Drug Court.

7. Once the screening is completed, the Contractor will present the written repor t to the

TADC team for review and to determine if the potential client is accepted into the

TADC program. If additional information is necessary to make an acceptance decision,

the Contractor will contact the referral source and gain the necessary informa tion for

an acceptance decision to be made the following week.

F. Intake Process:

1. Once accepted, the client will complete the following steps for intake into the TADC

program:

a) Client will be contacted by the Contractor, and an appointment will be scheduled

to complete intake forms and the orientation process with the Contractor.

b) Client will sign a Drug Court contract agreeing to all program requirements and

conditions. Each condition will be explained in detail by the Drug Court staff.

Client will then initial each condition, which will signify his /her understanding and

acceptance of each condition, outlined.

c) Client will receive a copy of the Client Handbook.

d) Client will be assigned an animal name to be identified by when they call the UA

hotline.

e) Client will submit a UA sample, which will be sent to the lab.

f) Client will meet any staff members who are available at the time of their Intake

appointment.

g) Client will be photographed.

2. The first treatment phase begins immediately after intake is completed if client has not

already begun voluntary participation.

V. Team Members and Decision Making

A. The Eighth Judicial District Taos Adult Drug Court program is led by the District Co urt

judge who provides direction in program policy, chairs the weekly team meeting, and

presides over all TADC program judicial matters. The judge encourages full participation

of all TADC team members and allows collaboration in decision-making. The judge is the

ultimate authority for sanctions and incentives and may overr ule team recommendations.

The judge is the final authority on acceptance into the program, determining phase level

advancements, and termination from the program.

The TADC team acts as a multi-disciplinary case management team with respect to the

clients’ involvement in the Drug Court program. The TADC team forms a critical

partnership, which includes the judge, criminal justice agencies, and the treatment provider

who collaborate to share expertise and facilitate each client’s rehabilitation.

The TADC team is comprised of the following members:

1. District Drug Court judge

2. Drug Court Program Manager

3. Treatment Provider

4. Law Enforcement Representative

5. District Attorney’s Office Representative

6. Law Offices of the Public Defender Representative

7. Adult Probation and Parole Office

8. Community Member(s)

9. Educational Support

11. HCAP

12. Medical Professional