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PROGRAMS
Forensic Intensive Recovery Affiliated Programs FIR Program
The Forensic Intensive Recovery (FIR) Program is a prison deferral initiative that offers eligible criminal offenders substance abuse treatment in lieu of incarceration. PHMC is responsible for operating the Clinical Evaluation Unit, which evaluates eligible criminal offenders for chemical dependency; refers them to community based providers for residential, intensive outpatient and regular outpatient treatment services; and provides case management services for FIR program participants. The Office of Addiction Services of the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health (OAS) funds this program. All clients must be referred through the Defender Association of Philadelphia. Intermediate Punishment Program The Intermediate Punishment and Parole (IPP) Program targets non-violent offenders who would otherwise face jail sentences. Intermediate Punishment is a sentence that requires a FIR Evaluation to determine if the offender needs substance abuse treatment. Guidelines for the client to obtain treatment acceptance are similar to the FIR Program. Domestic Violence Court is available only to first or second time offenders in which the victim does not wish to press charges against the perpetrator. The goal is for the early intervention and placement of offenders into clinically appropriate treatment to prevent further abuse and possible death of the victim. In an attempt to intervene and assist both victim and perpetrator, the OAS Clinical Evaluation Unit assess for the need for and arranges for client placement, treatment authorization and payment for drug and alcohol and/or mental health treatment, case management, domestic violence intervention, anger management and family therapy. Once the defendant (client) has satisfied this treatment requirement and there have not been any further incidents or problems with the complainant/victim, the court will withdraw all prosecution and the case is discharged. The case can be expunged from the record in a process initiated by the Defendant six months after the prosecution withdraws the case. Youth Violence Reduction Partnership Since November 1999, YVRP has identified those youth in the 12th, 24th and 25th Police Districts most at risk of either committing or becoming a victim of violent crime and has referred them and their families for Clinical evaluation behavioral health services. Philadelphia Addictions Reentry Collaborative (PARC) The FIR Program works in conjunction with the Philadelphia Prison System and Northeast Treatment Centers to provide jail-based methadone maintenance treatment services. Inmates placed in the program receive prescribed methadone maintenance treatment, on-site case management services and assistance in making the transition from incarceration to community-based treatment. PHMC's FIR Program, with funding from OAS, provides evaluation and case management services to offenders brought before Philadelphia's Drug Treatment Court. Treatment Court offers first time drug felony offenders an opportunity to be evaluated for substance abuse treatment and, if treatment is needed, to plead guilty to their crime, enter a treatment program, and avoid incarceration. Those who successfully complete the treatment program have their criminal record expunged. Since April 1997, offenders in pre-trial status are identified at arraignment to meet conditions for non-cash bail. They enter a plea of guilty or nolo contendere and are ordered to community-based substance abuse treatment under close judicial supervision, which requires frequent court appearances. Failure to complete the treatment and requirements may result in incarceration whereas completion qualifies the client to have his/her criminal record expunged. The Philadelphia Community Court is an innovative, problem-solving court that combines criminal justice and social service agencies under one roof for a comprehensive respoinse to quality-of-life crimes. The court emphasizes community service s entences and behavioral treatment programs, rather than jail time, for low-level offenses and helps to cut repeat offenses by addressing the defendants' underlying social or medical service needs. Community Court has jurisdiction over quality-of-life offenses, including theft from auto, retail theft, minor drug possession, vandalism and prostitution. Defendants receive expedited hearings, no later than the next business day after arrest. On-site social service staff provides professional screenings, which are provided to the Judge prior to sentencing. Community Court provides on-site classes in drug treatment readiness and anger management, as well as physical health screenings, continued medical care and referrals. When appropriate, offenders are placed in drug treatment, health care, education, job training and other programs, either mandated by the Court or entered voluntarily by the offender, to break the cycle of crime. In response to federal legislation requiring termination of parental rights after a child has been placed in custodial care for 15-22 months, the Philadelphia Department of Human Services refers cases to Family Court for review and, as needed, the court may order drug and alcohol assessments which are conducted by the FIR Program. FIR Program staff assigned to Family Court also provide case monitoring services to and process Medical Assistance applications for eligible clients. Clinical assessment and case monitoring services are available in all dependency courtrooms. The goal of Family Court, established as a result of the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, is to ensure that a safe, permanent, and stable home is secured for each abused and neglected child. Family Court is set up to shorten the timeframes for permanency hearings and the initiation of proceedings for termination of parental rights and behavioral health treatment services. A clinical report is submitted for consideration by the judge. Pennsylvania Act 53, which became effective January 25, 1998, permits the involuntary commitment of children under 18 to substance abuse treatment. Parents or legal guardians with a child may petition a judge to have the child assessed and placed into substance abuse treatment. A Clinical evaluation report is submitted for consideration by the judge. The Philadelphia Juvenile Treatment Court is a diversion alternative designed to engage non-violent substance abusing juvenile offenders in appropriate treatment under the supervision of the presiding Treatment Court judge and the Treatment Court Review team. The work of the Treatment Court is aimed at motivating and supporting program participants to complete the program and to graduate. The target area for this pilot project is West Philadelphia. The target population is non-violent substance-abusing juveniles living in West Philadelphia charged with eligible offenses and having eligible prior delinquent histories. Substance-abusing juveniles living in West Philadelphia with felony drug charges are candidates for the program. In the period from 2001 to 2003 the West Philadelphia region generated an average of 622 juvenile drug arrests per year, or 51 arrests per week. West Philadelphia juveniles arrested in other parts of the city may also qualify for the program. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) The Office of DUI Coordinator (ODC) has undergone a restructuring process of centralization by relocating to the Criminal Justice Center. After the pre-sentence hearing, all state required services (the CRN evaluation, Assessment for Drug and Alcohol treatment services and Alcohol Highway Safety School classes) are assigned to one of eight approved DUI Service Providers throughout the city according to geographic location and/or language considerations. The ODC processes only conviction status cases of Philadelphia residents with DUI offenses arrested in Philadelphia. Once all criteria have been met by the offender, the Clerk of Courts issues a court order compliance form to PennDOT to process the restoration of driving privilege request.
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