Family Treatment Court 

It is the mission of the Chatham Family Treatment Court (CFTC) to lead a collaborative effort among treatment providers, service agencies, the community and families. Our mission will be based upon providing timely access to substance use treatment for parents or guardians whose children are at risk due to dependency, abuse, and/or neglect. CFTC will strive to empower families to look beyond compliance and abstinence, encouraging them to make a commitment to a lifestyle of recovery.

CFTC focuses on permanency for children and ensuring healthy, competent parenting with the preferred outcome of family reunification. Program goals are to:

• Reduce recidivism and increase stability for CFTC participants.
• Treatment will be conducted in a coordinated approach.
• Encourage enhanced wellness of individuals and families.
• Provide transparent communication to participants and their families, service providers, and support systems.
• Operate under structured and organized principles governed by the Policies and Procedures, Participant Handbook, and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between agencies.
• Instill a sense of belonging to our participants.

CFTC will assist participants with parenting education and reducing the frequency and duration of relapses while increasing the duration of their sobriety and life skills. In addition, it is the Court’s goal to reduce the number of cases where parental rights are terminated and strive both to increase public safety and to deal humanely with individuals with serious substance abuse disorders who enter the dependent neglect system. The program is committed to focusing resources, training, and expertise on the unique needs of the abused/neglected children through family treatment of substance abuse disorders.

Cost: There is no fee for CFTC service.

Contact Information:

Shaughnessey Arrington, FTC SA Counselor
Email: shaughnessey.arrington@chathamcountync.gov
Phone: (919) 642-1203