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Berks County Treatment Courts: A Bridge to Recovery
Berks County Treatment Courts
A Bridge to Recovery
By Judge M. Theresa Johnson, Berks County Court of Common Pleas
What does the word opportunity mean to you?
Merriam-Webster defines opportunity as follows: 1: a favorable juncture of circumstances 2: a good chance for advancement or progress
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opportunity
The Berks County Treatment Court Programs, which include Drug, DUI, Mental Health and Veterans Courts, provide the true definition of opportunity for their participants. The treatment court programs are administered through a collaborative effort between the Berks County Courts, Adult Probation, District Attorney’s Office, Public Defenders Office, Council on Chemical Abuse, Berks Counseling Center, Pennsylvania Counseling Services, Reading YMCA, Berks Connections/Pre-Trial Services and New Directions Treatment Services.
Individuals who have found themselves involved in the criminal justice system, because of a substance use disorder, may apply to participate in the Treatment Court programs. However, not all individuals are accepted, as the opportunity to participate is based on the current charge and the applicant’s criminal record. Prior to admission to Treatment Court, individuals complete an application and participate in a risk and needs assessment. The Risk and Needs Triage (RANT) helps to determine their appropriateness for Treatment Court and to begin to assess what services are necessary to help the individual succeed. In addition, the Probation Department administers the Ohio Risk Assessment System: Community Supervision Tool (ORASCST). This tool helps to assess the individual’s risk to reoffend, aids in determining their needs, and will help to identify any barriers that could impact their ability to be successful. Additional programming may be assigned based upon the individual’s needs.
Those who are selected for the program are provided with an opportunity to receive services that may have been previously unavailable to them. The program consists of four phases and can take between 18-24 months depending on the individual. During this time individuals participate in group and individual counseling. They attend NA/AA or other supportive meetings. If necessary, they are assigned a Recovery Support Counselor. In addition, they may have the opportunity to participate in the R3 program through Berks Connections/Pre-Trial Services. This program provides cognitive therapy as well as job training skills and coordinates job opportunities for the graduates in the construction trade. For more information, please see www.berksconnections.org.
Recently the Treatment Court programs paired with the Penn State Master Gardeners Program and the Opportunity House for the development of community garden beds. The program first began with five garden beds and has extended to twentythree beds that grow vegetables for the participants and the homeless. In 2019 the garden produced over 500 pounds of vegetables. In October 2020, The Penn State Master Gardeners Program received a David Gibby Search for Excellence Award in community service for their involvement. The award recognized the work of the Master Gardeners on a State level. For more information on the program and award please visit https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/ berks/news/2020/master-gardeners-of-berks-county-bestoweda-david-gibby-search-for-excellence-award.
So, this opportunity to participate in Treatment Court sounds great, doesn’t it? Easy…all problems addressed and solved…. which leads to the next question…. what does the word trust mean to you?
According to Merriam-Webster the word trust is defined as follows: as a noun 1a: assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something b: one in which confidence is placed 2a: dependence on something future or contingent : HOPE transitive verb 1a: to rely on the truthfulness or accuracy of: BELIEVE b: to place confidence in; rely on a friend you can trust c: to hope or expect; confidently trusts that the problem will be resolved soon 2a: to commit or place in one’s care or keeping: ENTRUST b: to permit to stay or go or to do something without fear or misgiving 3: to extend credit to intransitive verb 1a: to place confidence : DEPEND b: to be confident: HOPE
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trust
So, you find yourself in a stressful situation and a group of strangers, who are clearly working together, say to you “hey, I have this great opportunity for you to change your life, change your thinking…just TRUST me.” But why? Why do they want to help you? You are an adult and able to care for yourself and those in your past have not been so great or let you down. Why would now be any different?
I have learned over the past eight years of running the Drug Treatment Court Program that trust is an enormous factor for the participants. It takes a while for the participants to trust the process. Some longer than others. But that’s ok… everyone is different and what works for one may not work for another. Our goal is to learn who the individual is, what are their interests, how can we help them to overcome what happened to them in the past and how can we help steer them towards being the best version of themselves.
May was National Drug Treatment Court Month. The Berks County Treatment Court celebrated those individuals who have had the courage and strength to participate in this unique opportunity that Berks County offers by putting their trust in the counselors and case managers that have helped them along the way. We congratulate those that have maintained sobriety, are successfully employed, involved with their kids and are now giving back to our community.
Integrated Counseling and Physical Health and Wellness Services serving Adults, Youth and Families.
Here are a few of the services we offer:
• Outpatient Substance Use
Disorder Counseling • Outpatient Mental Health Counseling • Individual and/or group therapy • Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) • Certified recovery/peer specialists • Physical health and wellness services • Genoa Pharmacy on site (for both you and your family)
Dr. Netaji -
MAT Specialist
Dr. Netaji, is board certified in Addiction Medicine and specializes in Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Dr. Netaji is a caring and compassionate physician who can help you on your road to recovery – always in a judgement-free zone.
A Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic/Integrated Community Wellness Center
