Recovery in the Time of Corona

One of the hallmarks of the specialty court programs that makes them so unique and so successful is person to person contact. Upon entering the program, the client is required to report to court once a week for a least a month. At the court appearances, the client visits with members of the court team and the judge. A rapport is quickly established through these frequent visits, and the client sees how much the team cares about her recovery. Instead of facing disapproval and condemnation from the judge, the client receives praise and encouragement. They have one-on-one, friendly conversations. Frequent court appearances also reinforce accountability: there is immediate feedback on the client’s actions, both good and bad. Milestones of achievement are rewarded on the spot with sobriety coins and gift cards for particularly notable achievements, such as finishing community service or getting a job. Sanctions are also handed out much more quickly, which sends a stronger message than delayed punishment. Another upside to in-person court visits is the camaraderie that develops between those in the audience. The clients get to hear each other’s stories, applaud their triumphs and mourn their setbacks. A community is formed which can be very helpful to recovery.

So how have the Specialty Court teams coped when faced with quarantine and courthouse closures? Like most of us, they have gone virtual. Clients now report via Zoom to their officers and make their court appearances online. Instead of being selected at random to give urine samples downtown, they wear a patch that tests for the presence of drugs. Recovery meetings as well as counseling sessions take place online as well. 

Specialty court graduation ceremonies have also had to evolve because of the pandemic. Instead of friends and family gathering at the courthouse to celebrate the graduates, who tell personal stories of struggles and eventual triumph, STAR Drug Court staff have gotten creative and are hosting a virtual graduation this week. Dubbed STAR Car Parade, grads and their families will drive by cheering court staff and receive their graduation certificates from their judge. 

Of course, the pandemic has affected more than just our ability to celebrate together. Many of our clients also have serious concerns about whether they can afford to meet their basic needs, like food and safe housing. Many have lost their jobs and have no means to pay their rent or bills. Some do not have a cell phone or laptop to report in and stay in compliance with their probation. 

Because of our generous donors, Justice Forward has stepped in to help the people going through these courts cope with the terrible issues they are facing. We have assisted with rent and bills. With help from H-E-B, we have distributed thousands of dollars’ worth of grocery cards. We have even purchased laptops and cell phones so clients can continue the counseling sessions that are critical to their long-term success. We have established partnerships with safe sober housing to ensure that our clients have a safe place in which to work on their recovery.

None of this is ideal, but it is better than no treatment, no accountability, and no access to the community that is invested in the success of each of these individuals. These programs can be demanding in the best of times—at Justice Forward, we’re doing all we can to ensure that every client has the support that he or she needs to cross the finish line. One Zoom call at a time.