Specialized Dockets
The Belmont County Juvenile Court operates the Family Dependency Treatment Court which has earned certification from the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets. The specialized docket works with parents of children found to be neglected, abused, and/or dependent in need of services for addiction related family problems.
In order to receive the certification, the Juvenile Court was required to submit an application, undergo a site visit, and provide specific program materials in response to certification standards that went in to effect in January 2014.
Specialized dockets are courts dedicated to specific types of offenses or offenders and use a combination of different techniques for holding offenders accountable while also addressing the underlying causes of their behavior. There are more than 150 specialized dockets in Ohio.
The Drug Court staff, under the guidance of Director Dave Carter, has worked diligently to become one of the first courts in Ohio to receive this certification. The certification ensures the Juvenile Court is following evidence based practices to provide the citizens of Belmont County with nationally recognized practices in the treatment of addiction. The Family Dependency Treatment Program works in partnership with the Belmont County Department of Job & Family Services and various other community organizations and agencies to effectively provide treatment and rehabilitation to participants.
The Commission on Specialized Dockets has 22 members who advise the Supreme Court and its staff regarding the promotion of statewide rules and uniform standards concerning specialized dockets in Ohio courts; the development and delivery of specialized docket services to Ohio courts; and the creation of training programs for judges and court personnel. The commission makes all decisions regarding final certification.