New program in Jefferson County could help reunite families separated by addiction

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ohio — Jefferson County commissioners have approved the juvenile court the appropriate funding, along with grant money, toward a counseling service to help families reunite after being torn apart from addiction.

The Family Dependency Treatment Court Program will be able to give those who have lost custody of their child due to drug and alcohol dependency issue another chance.

"The goal is to try and unite the children back with their parents, (and) get these parents addictive services," Commissioner Thomas Graham said.

The court is partnering with Jefferson County Children Services, and prevention and recovery.

According to court officials, around one-third of child services cases deal with drug and alcohol addiction.

"Addiction disorders are very difficult to do,” Graham said. “The recidivism rate is very high with addiction, and the success rate is very low when trying to help those that are addicted, but that does not mean that we should not try."

The program can accept 10 families a year. The parent or guardian will meet with an official up to five times a week during the recovery process.

Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Service provided a $25,000 grant to help fund the $100,000 program.

Program coordinators are focused on eliminating barriers for families to be reunited.