Building the Evidence for Family Treatment Courts: Reunification and Permanency in an Urban Court in the Southwest

Family treatment courts (FTCs) represent a significant advancement in addressing the dual challenges of parental substance use and child welfare system involvement. This study assessed the effectiveness of an FTC program in improving child welfare outcomes, with a focus on the likelihood and timeliness of family reunification, as well as the impact on foster care utilization. Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, this study examined 186 program participants and a propensity score-matched group of 274 foster children who did not receive FTC services. Results demonstrated that FTC program participation markedly enhanced the probability of family reunification and timeliness of reunification, with program participants significantly more likely to reunify with their families in a shorter period than their non-participating counterparts. These findings highlight the FTC's effectiveness in facilitating reunification and supporting families with parental substance use.