Beaver Cnty. C.P. Policies and Procedures Manual

Beaver County

Treatment Court

Policies & Procedures

Manual

Revised 5/1/2026

BEAVER COUNTY TREATMENT COURT POLICIES & PROCEDURES MANUAL

Mission Statement

1 Program Overview About the Program

1-2 Goals & Objectives

2 Treatment Court Steering Committee

2 Treatment Court Team

Program Model

Target Population

Eligibility Criteria

3-5 Eligibility & Discharge Criteria

Victims of Crime

Other Factors in Determining Eligibility

Discharge Criteria | Voluntary Withdrawal

Flowchart

Application Requirements

5-7 Application & Admission Process

Admission Requirements

Adjudication Process

Violations &

7 Due Process Considerations Sanctions

Termination

8 Program Tracks Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Track

Mental Health Treatment Track

Phase Advancement

8-9 Phases Graduation Criteria

Exit Interviews

9-10 Incentives, Sanctions, & Service Adjustments

10 Supervision Protocol

Drug & Alcohol Assessment & Treatment

Mental Health Assessment & Treatment

11-12 Assessment & Treatment Protocol

Compliance with Treatment Recommendations

Participant Group

12 Ancillary Services Peer Support Meetings

12 Medication & Medically Assisted Treatment

13 Drug Testing Protocol

13-14 Team Meetings & Status Hearings

Ethical Considerations

14-15 Ethics & Confidentiality

Releases of Information

15 Participant Rights & Grievance

Procedure

15 Data Collection

15 Fees & Fiscal Management

15-16 Search & Arrest Policy

16 Sustainability Plan

17 Resources

18 10 Key Components of Treatment Courts

Revised 5/1/2026

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

MISSION STATEMENT

It is the goal of the Beaver County Treatment Court (BCTC) to help individuals achieve a life

free from addiction and the dependence on mind-altering substances, and to stabilize

individuals suffering from mental health disorders. The Judge and the Treatment Court Team

are here to guide and assist participants, but the final responsibility relies upon the

participant themselves.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Beaver County Treatment Court started in 2026. The mission of the BCTC is to advance

public safety, reduce recidivism, lower costs to our community, and improve individual and

community health, by providing intensive, integrated, evidence-based supervision, and

comprehensive treatment services for individuals suffering from substance about and/or

mental health disorders.

The program’s multi-disciplinary approach utilizes a team concept made up of the Judge,

Coordinator, Probation Officer, Assistant District Attorney, Assistant Public Defender, drug

and alcohol case manager, and mental health professionals. It is a five-phase program and

the intensity of services decreases as the participants move through the program. In each

phase, participants must comply with routine court appearances, appointments – including

office and home visits, treatment requirements, and random drug testing. Intensive

supervision is a critical component to provide support and monitoring, while assisting

participants in reaching their goals.

Treatment for participants may consist of: assessment and treatment planning, individual

and/or group counseling, and regular attendance at community-based self-help support

meetings. Additional assistance with meeting individuals needs, such as education, life skills,

parenting, financial and employment issues, is provided when applicable.

Since its inception, the BCTC has strived to meet national and state standards for Treatment

Court Programs, and follows the Ten Key Components and Best Practice Standards established

by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP).

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

The Beaver County Treatment Court is intended to utilize comprehensive and individualized

treatment services, on a cost-effective basis, for a higher success rate of recovery and

maintained focus of wellness. The Treatment Court goals are:

 Improve treatment outcomes for individuals with a substance use disorder and

individuals with mental health issues

 Develop and implement a comprehensive treatment plan that is specific to the

treatment needs of each program participant

 Reduce recidivism among Treatment Court participants and promote public safety

through intensive court supervision

 Reduce costs to the community by providing an alternative to long-term incarceration

for offenders who successfully graduate from the Treatment Court program

 Provide ancillary and collateral services to equip participants with the necessary

resources to recovery, maintain wellness, and become a productive member of their

community

TREATMENT COURT STEERING COMMITTEE

Representatives from the following departments and organizations meet yearly to discuss and

implement program modifications:

 Judges of the Beaver County Court of Common Pleas

 Magisterial District Justice (MDJ)

 Court Administration

 Adult Probation and Parole

 Beaver County District Attorney’s Office

 Beaver County Public Defender’s Office

 Private Defense Counsel

 Law Enforcement

 Beaver County Behavioral Health (BCBH) – Beaver County Drug & Alcohol Program

 BCBH – Mental Health Professional

 Academic/Local College

TREATMENT COURT TEAM

CORE MEMBERS

Honorable Deborah Lancos DeCostro

Judge

Beaver County Court of Common Pleas

Jennifer Snyder CJ Hunt

Treatment Court Coordinator Probation Officer

Beaver County Adult Probation and Parole

Attorney Connor Battin Attorney Leo Bouwers

Assistant District Attorney Assistant Public Defender

Beaver County District Attorney’s Office Beaver County Public Defender’s Office

Tracy Irwin Danielle Rombach

BCBH – Beaver County Drug & Alcohol BCBH – Mental Health Professional

ELIGIBILITY & DISCHARGE CRITERIA

PROGRAM MODEL

The Beaver County Treatment Court is a post-plea/pre-sentence court. Applicants may also

qualify if they are facing a probation or parole violation on an existing sentence.

TARGET POPULATION

The BCTC targets high-risk/high-needs, non-violent individuals when there is a reasonable

assumption that the individual’s criminal activity is connected directly to the ongoing,

chronic, and habitual use of substances and/or the ongoing instability of a mental health

disorder. Without intervention, it is likely that criteria-eligible offenders will continue to

commit crimes, re-enter the criminal justice system, and be exposed to long-term

incarceration or other negative consequences that often result from traditional, less

resource-intensive approaches to case disposition.

Typically, individuals enrolled in Treatment Court will have social histories, hallmarked by

prior contacts with law enforcement, previous exposure to drug and alcohol or mental health

treatments, and a history of relapse. The BCTC targets individuals who require more

intensive focus on treatment, monitoring, and judicial intervention.

The Treatment Court strives to transition program participants into productive citizens,

capable of meeting daily life challenges and stressors, through effective drug and alcohol and

mental health treatment.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The Beaver County Treatment Court will review the offenses pertaining to each referral made

to the program. Eligibility criteria may be deviated from under direction of the District

Attorney’s Office. The following guidelines are in place with regard to ineligible offenses:

 Murder and manslaughter will not be considered under any circumstance

 Sex offenses will not be considered under any circumstance

 Felony crimes of violence (i.e. aggravated assault, kidnapping, arson, robbery) will not

be considered under any circumstance

 Extensive criminal history with numerous felony convictions may exclude an individual

from eligibility

 More than three (3) felony counts in the instant case(s) may exclude an individual from

eligibility

 No other pending charges, or open cases, which contain offenses that would deem the

individual ineligible

 ARD eligible individuals will not be considered

 Offenders with a history of violence will be deemed ineligible for Treatment Court

 Prior felony drug convictions or pending charges for possession with intent to deliver,

etc. are ineligible for Treatment Court

VICTIMS OF CRIME

The BCTC values the opinions of crime victims. Victims of crime will be consulted for their

opinion regarding the diversion of offenders into Treatment Court at the discretion of the

District Attorney’s Office.

OTHER FACTORS IN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY

In determining an applicant’s eligibility, the Beaver County Treatment Court will consider the

prior criminal record. If an applicant has a prior conviction involving an excluding offense,

this will not result in an immediate dismissal of the referral, but may be considered an

exclusionary factor in making a determination for eligibility. The final eligibility

determination shall be at the discretion of the Beaver County District Attorney, upon review

of recommendations by the Treatment Court Team and presiding Treatment Court Judge.

The following criteria have been established to identify individuals who may qualify for

admission into the Beaver County Treatment Court:

 The applicant has a verifiable history of sever substance abuse and/or a recently

diagnosed (within past two years) mental health diagnosis (as defined by DSM-V);

 A Beaver County resident, age 18 years or older;

 Non-violent criminal history;

 The applicant meets the high-risk/high needs criteria, as determined by a validated

risk/needs assessment tool;

 The applicant voluntarily agrees to participate in, and be subject to, the rules,

regulations, and sanctions of the Treatment Court; and

 Technical probation/parole violators are eligible as long as the above criteria is met

DISCHARGE CRITERIA

Enrollment and participation in BCTC is an opportunity for individuals to overcome obstacles

that they have faced in life, which have led up to their criminal behaviors. Through

successful completion of the program, individuals will live more productive and stable lives,

however, not all participants are able to successfully do so for various reasons.

The following are some examples of circumstances that may lead to discharge – this list is not

all inclusive:

 Committing a new violent crime, or the Team becoming aware of behavior that is

violent, or threatening to the safety of others

 Individuals with co-occurring disorders, whose mental illness is so severe that it

interferes with their ability to actively and fully participate in Treatment Court

 A demonstrated lack of capacity or willingness to engage in treatment, or comply with

the program requirements

 Continued criminal activity while in the program

 Acts of violence while under the supervision of the program, which includes any

violence or threats of violence, in the participant’s home, place of work, treatment

centers and/or providers

 The participant wishes to voluntarily remove themselves from the program

PRELIMINARILY RECOMMENDED BY DA.

WITH THEIR DEFENSE COUNSEL, THE INTERESTED INDIVIDUAL COMPLETES A TREATMENT COURT APPLICATION

& ALL REQUIRED FORMS/RELEASES/WAIVERS CONTAINED WITHIN THE APPLICATION PACKET

INCOMPLETE:

THE TREATMENT COURT COORDINATOR THE APPLICATION IS

THE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED REVIEWS APPLICATION RETURNED TO THE

TO THE TREATMENT COURT FOR COMPLETENESS AND RISK NEEDS DEFENSE COUNSEL

COORDINATOR ASSESSED BY APO

QUALIFIFIED:

IF THE INDIVIDUAL "CLEARS" THE COMPLETE:

SCREEN ING AT THE DISTRICT THE INDIVIDUAL IS REFERRED TO APPLICATION IS EMAILED

ATTORNEY'S LEVEL, A RISK-NEEDS THE TREATMENT COURT PROGRAM TO THE ADA FOR APPROVAL

ASSESSMENT IS COMPLETED BY THE

TREATMENT COURT PROBATION

OFFICER OR TREATMENT COURT

COORDINATOR

RESULTS: DISQUALIFIED:

OTHER THAN HR/HN DENIAL LETTER SENT TO

APPLICANT & DEFENSE COUNSEL

RESULTS:

HIGH RISK/HIGH NEEDS

INDIVIDUAL IS NOT

INTERESTED IN THE

PROGRAM

APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED

TO TREATMENT COURT

TEAM FOR REVIEW NOT

INCARCERATED

IF ASSESSMENTS

INCARCERATED LETTERS TO CONTACT ARE NOT

BCBH FOR ASSESSMENTS COMPLETED IN A

IS MAILED TO APPLICANT TIMELY MANNER

.

JAIL ASSESSMENTS

ONCE ASSESSMENTS ARE COMPLETED:

ARE SCHEDULED

APPEARANCE BEFORE THE TREATMENT COURT

WITH BCBH

JUDGE IS SCHEDULED FOR PLEA/ADMISSION

INTO THE TREATMENT COURT PROGRAM

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

An application to the Beaver County Treatment Court is required for consideration into the

program. The application process should be completed by the defense counsel for the

individual, if applicable. When submitting an application to the BCTC, the following

documents must be included and completed in their entirety:

 Beaver County Treatment Court Application

 Release for BCBH for the Treatment Court Team

The most updated and complete application packets may be obtained by visiting the BCTC

webpage, or by contacting the Treatment Court Coordinator.

Failure to complete the necessary forms may delay the review and/or acceptance of the

applicant into the program.

After all required documents have been received, the Treatment Court Team will review for

eligibility criteria, as defined above. If deemed eligible by the Assistant District Attorney, the

applicant will be screened by Adult Probation and BCBH. After screenings and assessments

are completed, the eligible applicant will be scheduled to be admitted to the Beaver County

Treatment Court.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

If an applicant is not incarcerated, it is the responsibility of the defense counsel to notify the

applicant of their date and time to be sworn into the Treatment Court Program. If an

individual is currently incarcerated, the appropriate arrangements will be made for

transportation from the Beaver County Jail to the Beaver County Courthouse on the day the

applicant is to be sworn into the program. The applicant must have the following forms

completed with the assistance of counsel, if applicable:

 All appropriate colloquies

 Participant Contract

ADJUDICATION PROCESS

Approved Treatment Court applicants are admitted into the program once they execute

proper guilty plea and/or probation/parole revocation colloquies and will be granted $1 bond

with Beaver County Pre-trial Services. For individuals entering with new criminal charges, a

binding guilty plea is entered on all counts included in the information(s). For individuals

that are entering on probation/parole violations, they admit to the violations contained

within the petition to revoke. In both instances, sentencing is deferred until completion or

unsuccessful discharge from the program.

Participants who are unsuccessfully discharged from the program will go before a Judge for

sentencing on any new cases and/or will be scheduled for a revocation hearing or

probation/parole violations. Sentencing recommendations will be established and presented

by the District Attorney’s Office, in accordance with sentencing guidelines, prior record

score, and offense gravity scores.

Individuals who enter the BCTC on the basis of new criminal charges, and successfully

complete the program in its entirety, are eligible to have their cases nolle prossed and

expunged, once all court costs, fines, and restitution are paid in full. Individuals who

complete the program on probation/parole revocations are not eligible to have their cases

expunged, due to prior conviction on these cases. The incentive to complete the program in

these situations is (1) a lesser period of jail time on their violations; (2) termination of their

remaining supervision at the completion of the program; or (3) improved quality of life.

Due Process Considerations

The following policies and procedures have been established to preserve the due process

rights of applicants and participants in the Beaver County Treatment Court Program.

VIOLATIONS AND SANCTIONS

When a participant violates a condition of the BCTC and is facing a possible jail sanction or

termination from the program, their Probation Officer will provide the participant with a

“Treatment Court Notice of Violation” form, that will identify specific alleged violations. The

participant will have the opportunity to sign the form, either admitting or denying the alleged

violation(s).

If the participant denies the alleged violation(s), a Violation/Sanction Hearing will be

scheduled for the next Treatment Court date. The Violation/Sanction Hearing may be

continued, based upon the availability of the participant’s counsel, if they are not

represented by the Public Defender.

Once the Violation/Sanction Hearing date has been scheduled, the participant’s Probation

Officer will provide the participant with the “Treatment Court Notice of Violation Sanction

Hearing” notice. This notice will inform the participant of the date and time of the hearing,

along with the participant’s rights. The participant will sign the form, acknowledging receipt,

and signed copies of the form will be distributed to the participant, Defense Counsel, District

Attorney, Treatment Court coordinator, and the probation file. The hearing will take place

on the record.

The participant is hereby given notice that a finding of a violation by the Treatment Court

Judge, after a full hearing, may result in the removal of the participant from the Treatment

Court Program. Further, in that participation in the BCTC is based upon voluntary choice by

the participant, the participant specifically waives any right of appeal or review of the

Treatment court Judge’s final ruling.

TERMINATION/REMOVAL FROM PROGRAM

Upon scheduling a Termination Hearing date, the Probation Officer will serve the participant

with notice of the hearing, by use of the “Treatment Court Notice of Termination Hearing”

form. The participant will sign in acknowledgement of service and signed copies will be

distributed to the participant, Defense Counsel, District Attorney, Treatment Court

Coordinator and probation file. Since enrollment in the BCTC is voluntary, the participant

specifically waives any right of appeal or review of the decision of the Treatment Court

Judge.

PROGRAM TRACKS

Beaver County Treatment Court uses a collaborative approach to treatment and rehabilitation

and realizes that individuals may have entered into the justice system with varying disorders

that need treatment. Treatment Court is divided into two separate tracks in order to best

meet the needs of the individual participant. While the requirements are generally the same,

the intensity of supervision, programming, and ancillary services may differ, depending on the

individual’s needs.

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (SUD) TREATMENT TRACK

Participants who are admitted into the program whose primary diagnosis is substance use

disorder will be entered into the SUD treatment track. The substance use disorder track

requires intensive supervision, based on frequent/random drug testing, court appearances,

and implements a highly structured treatment process and recovery services. The high level

of intensive supervision allows for prompt responses to behaviors and the ability to impose

appropriate service adjustments.

MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT TRACK

For individuals who have a mental health diagnosis (as defined by the DSM-V) and whose

primary reason for being involved with the justice system is due to this diagnosis, they will be

placed in the mental health treatment track. This track generally has the same requirements

as the SUD track, but the main focus is on the mental health stability and well-being of the

participant, with less focus on substance use disorder treatment programming. This track is

also appropriate for individuals who are strictly justice-involved due to their mental health

diagnosis, without a substance use history. Individuals in this track may not be as intensively

supervised as those in the SUD track and will be evaluated for appropriate treatment services.

PHASES

Treatment Court participants are to engage in a five-phase treatment model, designed to

transition the individual to living a stable life. Each phase of the program has specific

elements and program criteria that must be completed prior to advancing phases. The

Probation Officer will discuss these requirements in more detail at the start of each phase.

The boxes below describe general goals of each phase. An individualized treatment plan will

be established for each participant, based upon needs. Discretion to make any changes

remains with the Treatment Court Team.

Phase 1: Acute Phase 2: Phase 3: Prosocial Phase 4: Adaptive Phase 5: Recovery

Stabilization Psychosocial Habilitation Habilitation Management

Stabilization

• Crisis • Prosocial Routine • Life Skills • Recovery

Intervention • Stable Housing Activities

• Prosocial Skills • Adaptive Role

• Orientation • Reliable (work, school, • Recurrence

• Engage in

• Comprehensive Attendance Treatment household) Prevention

Assessment • Therapeutic • Achieve Early • Abstinence

• Abstinence

• Collaborative Alliance Efforts Recovery Maintenance

Treatment Plan • Clinical Stability • Restorative

Justice

PHASE ADVANCEMENT

The Treatment Court Team reviews and determines phase advancement based upon the

individual participant’s progress. If the participant will be phased-up, it will occur at the

next court session, barring any significant infractions within that period of time.

GRADUATION CRITERIA

Participants must meet the following minimum criteria in order to successfully complete

Beaver County Treatment Court:

 Successful completion of all program requirements

 Compliance with payment plan establishment with the Clerk of Courts

 Continued recovery during the final phase of the program

 No missed court dates, treatment sessions, or case management appointments within

the last phase of the program

 A positive recommendation by the Treatment Court Team members

 Completion of an aftercare plan with case manager

 Completion of graduation application

When a participant is considered eligible for graduation, the Probation Officer will provide

the participant with an “Application for Graduation”. This application will consist of a series

of questions regarding the participation within the program and the progress the individual

has made.

EXIT INTERVIEWS

Upon completion of the BCTC Program, whether successful or unsuccessful, the Treatment

Court Coordinator will conduct an exit interview with the participant. The interview will be

documented; however, the participant’s identity will remain anonymous. The interview will

consist of questions that will help the Team review the program’s effectiveness. Participants

are urged to provide honest feedback during this interview, and their answers will have no

bearing on their case.

INCENTIVES, SANCTIONS, AND SERVICE ADJUSTMENTS

INCENTIVES & SANCTIONS

Incentives are used as means to increase engagement, reinforce prosocial behavior, and

develop new skills. Incentives are meant to help participants understand what positive

behaviors look like, and to promote engagement in treatment and program requirements.

Some target behaviors that are reinforced through incentives can include: showing up,

timeliness, honesty, negative drug screens, phase promotion, treatment progress, sobriety

milestones, helping others, recovery support achievements, and prosocial achievements.

Incentives may include, but are not limited to: fishbowl drawing, gift cards, certificates,

weekly All-Star List, entries into a quarterly drawing, and judicial accolades.

Sanctions are utilized to decrease, or stop, undesired behaviors. Participants are educated

upon admission to the program of the consequences for non-compliant behaviors. Non-compliance is addressed in Court with the appropriate graduated sanction. Sanctions increase

in severity for failure to abstain from drug use, attend required treatment, absconding, or

failure to comply with supervision and/or program rules. Sanctions are distributed according

to proximal and distal behaviors. Sanctions may include, but are not limited to: community

service hours, curfew, and house arrest. Incarceration can be used as a sanction in response

to serious infractions, illegal activity, or continued non-compliance that has not been

corrected with other mechanisms available to the Team.

SERVICE ADJUSTMENTS

Formerly known as therapeutic responses and supervision responses, service adjustments

address the underlying case for a certain behavior, treat the behavior, and aim to teach new

skills. They are designed to help the participants understand the need to change, how to

change, and how to learn new behaviors. It is important to note that therapeutic responses

are not therapy or counseling. Therapeutic responses can be utilized as a response to both

positive and negative behaviors, and may include, but are not limited to the following:

clinical re-assessment, level of care change (based on re-assessment), essays, oral

presentations, thinking report, behavior chain, homework, and volunteer hours.

Supervision conducted by the Probation Officer and Case Manager provides crucial information

about an individual’s behavior and progress, while holding the participant accountable.

These responses can be implemented in response to positive and negative behaviors.

Supervision responses can include, but are not limited to: increase or decrease in Court

appearances, home/office visits with probation, and/or drug testing. It can also include

GPS/house arrest/alcohol monitoring and implementation of a curfew in response to negative

behavior.

SUPERVISION PROTOCOL

Supervision is a shared responsibility among all Treatment Court Team members, and is

achieved through effective collaboration, decision-making, and rapid response to conditions

that may lead to relapse, mental health deterioration, or further criminal activity by program

participants. Unique to the Treatment Court model is the active and personal involvement of

the Treatment Court Judge on a weekly basis with each program participant.

The primary responsibility for day-to-day supervision of the program participants rests upon

the Probation Officer. The Probation Officer will develop an individualized supervision plan

with each participant enrolled in the program. Working in collaboration with the Treatment

Court Team, the Probation Officer will meet with each participant on a regularly scheduled

basis and report his or her status at the weekly Treatment Court Team meeting. The

Probation Officer will be responsible for random drug testing, monitoring compliance with

phase requirements, as well as submitting weekly reports for review at Team Meetings.

All members of the Treatment Court Team will keep the Probation Officer informed of any

conditions that might negatively impact the capacity or ability of the Treatment Court

Program to successfully monitor and supervise participants.

ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT PROTOCOL

Consistent with the Treatment Court model and Best Practice Standards, treatment begins

with a thorough and complete assessment of an applicant’s history and level of involvement

with drugs/alcohol, as well as mental health.

DRUG & ALCOHOL ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT

Once a Treatment Court applicant is cleared by the District Attorney’s Office for admission

into the program, based on charges and criminal history, a representative from Beaver County

D&A will meet with the applicant for a substance use assessment. If the applicant is

incarcerated, an assessment will be scheduled by the Case Manager through communication

with the Beaver County Jail. If an applicant is not incarcerated, a letter is sent notifying

them to contact Beaver County D&A for an assessment. Applicants must contact Beaver

County D&A to schedule an assessment within seven (7) days of the date on the letter.

At the time of assessment, the Case Manager will complete the mandatory Department of

Drug and Alcohol Programs Assessment Tool. Based on this assessment, the Case Manager will

use the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria to make a recommendation

for placement in treatment and appropriate level of care. In addition to setting up the

appropriate treatment for the participant, the Case Manager also addresses non-treatment

needs with the participant, which may include transportation, employment, and housing.

Treatment Court participants are also scheduled to meet with a Certified Recovery Specialist

(CRS) during the early phases of the program, for additional support, as appropriate.

Substance abuse treatment is provided by several collaboration agencies that provide

intensive outpatient, outpatient, individual, family, and relapse prevention services to

Treatment Court Participants. Participants in need of residential treatment will participate

in Treatment Court Status Hearings remotely, if available, until discharged from the

treatment program. Regular progress notes will be provided to the Treatment Court Judge

during the participant’s residential treatment stay. In the event that the participant does not

wish to return to the Beaver County community, supervision may be transferred to another

Treatment Court in the receiving county, if available.

MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT

All applicants, regardless of mental health history, are required to obtain mental health

screenings and/or assessments in order to determine an appropriate level of care and address

any mental health issues. Information specific to the required screenings and/or assessments

will be provided to applicants on an individual basis. Individuals whose screenings show a

need for further assessment, or those who indicate a past mental health history, will be

referred for a psychiatric evaluation by a licensed psychiatrist. Mental health services, such

as medication management, psychotherapy, blended case management, Forensic/Assertive

Community Treatment (FACT) Team, psychiatric rehab, and Certified Peer Specialists, will be

reviewed and assessed on an individual basis.

COMPLIANCE WITH TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Treatment Court participants are required to comply with any recommended course of

treatment throughout their participation in the BCTC Program. If they decline a

recommended level of care, they may go before the Treatment Court Judge for a Review

Hearing to determine if they are appropriate to remain in the program, or if their application

is still pending, be denied entry into the Beaver County Treatment Court Program.

ANCILLARY SERVICES

In addition to substance abuse and mental health treatment, there are a myriad of other

services available for Treatment Court participants. Referrals will be made to such agencies,

as deemed appropriate. Treatment Court participants are expected to comply with, and

participate in, the programming below during their time in the program.

PARTICIPANT GROUP

Participant Group is a group for both active participants and alumni that is facilitated by the

Treatment Court Coordinator. Content for the group varies from month-to-month and may

include various activities in the community or practical lessons for life skills.

PEER SUPPORT MEETINGS

Community-based peer support meetings have been proven to be a key component in the

recovery process. Participants in the Beaver County Treatment Court Program are expected

to attend meetings, when deemed appropriate. Participants may choose whichever meeting

and structure they feel is appropriate for them, including, but not limited to: Alcoholics

Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Celebrate Recovery, Smart Recovery, etc.

Specific frequency of attendance will be determined by the Drug and Alcohol Case Manager,

who will notify Team members of the requirement established for each individual.

Participants are required to complete the “Meetings Log” in its entirety for each meeting

attended, then submit them to their Probation Officer on a weekly basis.

MEDICATION & MEDICATED ASSISTED TREATMENT

The use of any prescription or physician-authorized substances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis within the BCTC Program, and may require additional assessments, reviews, or

screenings by medical and/or mental health professionals to determine suitability for the

interested individual. Participants are advised to disclose all prescriptions and authorized

substances in advance to their Probation Officer or Case Manager, in order to avoid any

disruption or delay into the Treatment Court Program. Participants taking prescription

medications must provide proof from the prescribing doctor that the medication is necessary

for treatment. If the participant fails to provide this information, positive drug tests –

regardless of legal prescription, will be sanctioned in the same manner as all positive drug

tests. The participant must provide complete medical information with the name of the

medication, administration of medication, milligrams, amounts, and times of administration,

and a copy of the prescriber information, upon admission or at any time during participation

in the Program.

DRUG TESTING PROTOCOL

Frequent and random drug screening is a critical component to the BCTC Program.

Participants may be tested on scheduled appointment dates, prior to Treatment Court Status

Hearings, or they may be called in randomly through phone calls, text messages, or the color-coded system.

Non-compliance with testing, such as failure to report, failure to produce a urine sample, or

use of adulterated substances are considered a positive screen, and reported to the

Treatment Court Judge. Refusal to submit to drug screening is considered a positive result.

Confirmed adulterated drug screens result in a Treatment Court Review Hearing and possible

termination from the Program.

To promote the validity of the sample, all urine collection will be observed by a staff

member. The observer will give specific instructions to the participant on how to give a urine

sample.

The participant will be screened for several drugs of abuse, including alcohol (ETG and breath

testing) and prescription medications. Results of all drug screens are recorded at the time of

testing. Any participant that denies positive test results may be asked to complete a

confirmation urine screen, which will be laboratory tested.

Participants taking prescription medications must provide documentation from the prescribing

doctor. If the participant fails to provide this information, any positive test result, regardless

of legal prescription, will be sanctioned in the same manner as all positive tests. Upon

admission into the program, or at any point in time during participation in the Program, the

participant must provide complete medical information including the name of the

medication, how it is administered, milligrams, amounts, and times of administration, along

with a copy of prescriber information.

RANDOM DRUG TESTING

The BCTC Program uses a color-coded system for random drug testing. A color is assigned to

the participant and based off of the current phase in the Program. Specific information

regarding random drug testing and is provided to participant at their intake appointment and

is also found in the Participant Handbook.

TEAM MEETINGS & STATUS HEARINGS

TEAM MEETINGS

The Treatment Court Team meets on a weekly basis, as permitted by the Court schedule,

prior to Treatment Court Status Hearings. The purpose of the meetings is to discuss the

progress of each participant. The discussion includes, but is not limited to: drug test results,

attendance with scheduled appointments, participation and cooperation with treatment and

ancillary services, employment, and/or any other requirements that have been imposed. In

addition, any violations or compliance issues will be noted, and sanctions and incentives will

be determined. The Team also reviews any pending applicants and discusses eligibility of

those individuals. Team Members are also free to present any other questions or concerns

they may have regarding other aspects of the Beaver County Treatment Court Program.

STATUS HEARINGS

Status Hearings are held on a weekly basis, as permitted by the Court schedule, following the

Treatment Court Team Meetings. During these hearings, the Treatment Court Judge speaks

with each individual participant about any changes, updates, issues, or concerns since their

last court hearing before the Judge. During these court proceedings, sanctions and incentives

may be imposed, as deemed appropriate. Status Hearings are held in open court and all

participants are present in the Courtroom during the Judge’s discussion.

ETHICS & CONFIDENTIALITY

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Treatment Courts transition the roles of each member of the Team from their traditional

separation and independence to a collaborative effort, focused on the recovery and

stabilization of participants. Judges become part of the collaborative decision-making team,

which includes prosecutors, defense counsel, law enforcement, and treatment professionals.

Prosecutors and defense counsel mute their traditional adversarial relationship to coordinate

their efforts in new ways to achieve participant success. Defendants become participants and

may actively engage in discussions on their progress, or lack thereof, with a broader range of

individuals in the criminal justice system. Substance abuse and mental health treatment

professionals actively engage with the Court, and other members of the Team, far earlier and

more frequently than traditional referrals for treatment and monitoring.

These, among other transitions in the professional roles of Judge, lawyers, probation, and

treatment professionals are crucial to the Treatment Court model. Breaking away from these

traditional roles, however, requires that the Treatment Court be consciously aware of ethical

and confidentiality considerations to ensure that those who enroll in the program are

confident that each member of the Team maintains the highest standards of ethical conduct.

Most often, the ethical issues related to Treatment Court practices involves the non-adversarial nature of the court proceedings. It is important to note that non-adversarial does

not equate to non-advocacy. Rather, each member of the Treatment Court Team best

represents his or her professional responsibilities, by advocating a perspective that is

consistent with their professional interests as members of a multi-disciplinary team, who

equally contribute, through the lens of their respective professions.

RELEASES OF INFORMATION

In order to participate in the program, Treatment Court participants are required to sign a

release of information that authorizes the exchange records regarding mental health, criminal

history, employment, and education. Additional individual treatment releases shall be signed

prior to the start of substance abuse treatment. Participants will sign a waiver of

confidentiality and be informed of their confidentiality rights upon admission into the

program. Waivers will be updated throughout the program, as needed. Refusal to sign

releases of information will result in termination from the program.

Federal regulations have been interpreted to allow Treatment Court staff, Judges,

prosecutors, and defense attorneys who have received confidential information regarding a

participant’s substance abuse, treatment compliance, and progress, to use that information

in courtroom discussions. These discussions are considered to be in “the performance of their

official duties” and are related to the action – a participant’s court-mandated treatment – for

which consent for the exchange of information was given.

PARTICIPANT RIGHTS & GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

When a participant has a complaint or feels their rights are being violated as a result of their

participation in the Beaver County Treatment Court Program, they may initiate the grievance

process by submitting a complaint, in writing, to the District Court Administrator, 810 3rd

Street, Beaver, PA 15009.

DATA COLLECTION

Data pertaining to Treatment Court Participants is collected in the Problem-Solving Adult &

Juvenile Courts, or PAJCIS. The specialized software categorizes and captures performance

data for individual programs in each Treatment Court in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

FEES & FISCAL MANAGEMENT

In order to participate in the program, a one-time Beaver County Treatment Court fee, in the

amount of $600, is assessed. When directed by the Probation Officer, participants will enter

a payment plan with the Clerk of Courts. Compliance with a payment plan is required for

graduation.

Participants may also be responsible for any electronic monitoring costs associated with their

case, which may include current per diem fees and/or replacement of lost or damaged

equipment.

If a participant is terminated from the BCTC Program, regardless of the reason, all costs and

fees paid to the date of termination are non-refundable. In the event of termination or

withdrawal, all unpaid costs and fees outstanding at the date of termination or withdrawal

are due and payable; these will be added to any outstanding costs, fees, and/or restitution at

the time of sentencing.

SEARCH & ARREST POLICY

Participants of the BCTC Program are not permitted to possess, have control of, or have in

their place of residence or vehicle, any contraband, such as stolen property, non-prescribed

controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, alcohol, firearms (handguns, rifles, shotguns, or

toy/replicas of these weapons), or any other deadly weapon. Participants agree to submit

their person, property, place of residence, vehicle, and personal effects to search at any time

by an authorized representative of the BCTC, based upon reasonable suspicion that they are

in possession of contraband.

Participants who are in the Program and receive new criminal charges will be scheduled for a

Treatment Court Review Hearing to determine appropriateness to remain in the Treatment

Court Program.

SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

Currently, the Beaver County Treatment Court is self-sustained through various funding

sources. The positions of Probation Officer, Assistant District Attorney, and Assistant Public

Defender are line-items outlined in the appropriate department’s yearly county budget, yet

are not specific to the Treatment Court Program. Case Managers that complete SUD

assessments are funded through Beaver Count Drug and Alcohol Program’s regular yearly

budget. The positions of Treatment Court Coordinator and Mental Health Professional are

funded through Beaver County Behavioral Health’s yearly budget.

RESOURCES

Treatment Courts, also called Problem-Solving Courts, operate across the Commonwealth of

Pennsylvania and throughout the United States. There are many different types of Problem-Solving Courts, including Drug Treatment Courts, Mental Health Courts, Veterans Courts,

Domestic Violence Courts, Wellness Courts, Family Courts, Tribal Wellness Courts, DUI Courts,

and Re-Entry Courts.

Website:

Website: https://patcp.org/ https://www.pacourts.us/judicial-administration/court-

programs/drug-courts

Website: https://www.ndci.org/

Website: https://www.nadcp.org/

Website:

https://treatmentcourts.org/

10 KEY COMPONENTS OF TREATMENT COURTS

Key Component #1: Treatment courts integrate alcohol and other drug treatment services with

justice system case processing.

Key Component #2: Using a non-adversarial approach, prosecution and defense counsel

promote public safety while

protecting participants’ due process rights.

Key Component #3: Eligible participants are identified early and promptly placed in the

treatment court program.

Key Component #4: Treatment courts provide access to a continuum of alcohol, drug, and

other related treatment and rehabilitation services.

Key Component #5: Abstinence is monitored by frequent alcohol and other drug testing.

Key Component #6: A coordinated strategy governs treatment court responses to participants’

compliance.

Key Component #7: Ongoing judicial interaction with each treatment court participant is

essential.

Key Component #8: Monitoring and evaluation measure the achievement of program goals and

gauge effectiveness.

Key Component #9: Continuing interdisciplinary education promotes effective treatment court

planning, implementation, and operations.

Key Component #10: Forging partnerships among treatment courts, public agencies, and

community-based organizations generates local support and enhances

treatment court program effectiveness.

Source: https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/bja/205621.pdf