Drug Court Planning Initiative

Adult Drug Court Planning
Initiative Training Program Resources

General Information

Resources Provided by the National Drug Court Institute (NDCI)

Resources Provided by Operational Drug Courts

• Steering Committees
• MOUs/Team Member Roles
• Mission Statements
• Goals and Objectives
• Eligibility Criteria/Disqualification Criteria
• Entry Process Charts
• Entry, Referral, Case Processing, and Legal Screening Protocols
• Clinical Screening and Assessment Protocols
• Court Phases
• Graduation and Termination Criteria
• Incentives and Sanctions
• Courtroom Protocols
• Treatment Protocols/Treatment Phases
• Case Management and Supervision Protocols
• Drug Testing Protocols
• Program Fees
• Data Collection Tools and Evaluation Designs
• Ethics and Confidentiality Statements
• Practitioner Confidentiality Forms
• Participant Confidentiality Waivers
• Participant Handbooks
• Participant Contracts
• Exit Interviews
• Alumni Groups
• Publicity Strategies
• Funding Strategies
• Other Useful Documents

Related Organizations

List of Contributing Courts

Resources

• Comparison Between Drug Court Models and Standard Courts (MS Word)
• Conference of Chief Justices Resolution in Support of Problem Solving Courts (MS Word)
• Drug Treatment: The Case for Coercion - National Drug Court Institute Review III.1 (MS Word)
• Observational Study of Courtroom Dynamics in Selected Drug Courts - National Drug Court Institute Review I.1 (MS Word)
• Painting the Current Picture: A National Report Card on Drug Courts and Other Problem-Solving Courts in the United States (MS PowerPoint)

Resources Provided by the National Drug Court Initiative (NDCI)

• ASAM Placement Criteria (MS Word)
• Checklist for Designing Problem-Solving Courts to Address Co-Occurring Disorders (MS Word)
• Core Competencies Guide (MS Word)
• Drug Court Cultural Needs Assessment (MS Word)
• Drug Court Media Guide (MS Word)
• DWI Entry Process Chart (MS Word)
• Entry Process Chart (MS Word)
• Mapping Community Resources Exercise (MS Word)
• NDCI Faculty Biographical Sketches (MS Word)
• NDCI Skills Based Learning Style Inventory (MS Word)
• Policies and Procedures Manual (MS Word)

Resources Provided by Operational Drug Courts

• Drug Court Steering Committee - Palm Beach County, FL (MS Word)

MOUs/Team Member Roles

• Drug Court Roles – Hall County, GA (MS Word)
• Drug Court Team Responsibilities – Blount County, TN (MS Word)
• Job Descriptions – 7 th Judicial District, OK (MS Word)
• Memorandum of Understanding - Merced County, CA (MS Word)
• Roles in the DUI Drug Court Program – Virginia Beach, VA (MS Word)
• Team Member Responsibilities - Benton and Franklin Counties, WA (MS Word)
• Team Members - Brooklyn, NY (MS Word)
• Team Members - Greene County, MO (MS Word)

Mission Statements

• Mission Statement – Benton and Franklin Counties, WA (MS Word)
• Mission Statement – Brooklyn, NY (MS Word)
• Mission Statement – Montgomery County, MD (MS Word)
• Mission Statement – Dallas County, TX (MS Word)

Goals and Objectives

• Goals and Objectives – Benton and Franklin Counties, WA (MS Word)
• Goals and Objectives – Greene County, MO (MS Word)
• Goals and Objectives – Montgomery County, MD (MS Word)
• Goals, Objectives, Outputs, Outcomes – Dallas County, TX (MS Word)

Eligibility Criteria/Disqualification Criteria

• Drug Court Entry Criteria – Maricopa County, AZ (MS Word)
• Drug Court Offender Eligibility Criteria - 61st District Court, MI (MS Word)
• Drug Treatment Court Eligibility Requirements – Merced County, CA (MS Word)
• Eligibility – Virginia Beach, VA (MS Word)
• Eligibility Criteria – Blount County, TN (MS Word)
• Eligibility for Drug Court - Benton and Franklin Counties, WA (MS Word)
• Eligibility Standards – Dallas County, TX (MS Word)
• Sobriety Court Eligibility Criteria – 61st District Court, MI (MS Word)

• Adult Drug Court Intake Process – Montgomery County, MD (MS Word)
• Case Flow Chart - Philadelphia, PA (Adobe Acrobat)
• New Jersey Drug Court Case Flow Chart – NJ (MS Word)

Entry, Referral, Case Processing, and Legal Screening Protocols

• Case Processing – Brooklyn, NY (MS Word)
• Eligibility Checklist - 7th Judicial District, OK (MS Word)
• Entry Process – 7th Judicial District, OK (MS Word)
• Procedures for Referral to Drug Treatment Court – Merced County, CA (MS Word)
• Referral Process – Virginia Beach, VA (MS Word)
• Referral Process for Drug Court – 61st District Court, MI (MS Word)

Clinical Screening and Assessment Protocols

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Suitability Standards – Bernalillo County, NM (MS Word)
• Suitability Standards – Buffalo, NY (MS Word)

Court Phases

• Applications for Phase Advancement - Palm Beach County, FL (MS Word)
• Drug Court Phases – Benton and Franklin Counties, WA (MS Word)
• DUI Drug Court Phases – Virginia Beach, VA (MS Word)
• Instruction Sheets for Drug Court Phases - Palm Beach County, FL (MS Word)
• Phase Change Packets - Merced County, CA (MS Word)
• Phases – 7 th Judicial District, OK (MS Word)
• Phases – Montgomery County, MD (MS Word)
• Program Phases - Greene County, MO (MS Word)

Graduation and Termination Criteria

• Graduation Advancement Sheet - Palm Beach County, FL (MS Word)
• Graduation Criteria – Benton and Franklin Counties, WA (MS Word)
• Graduation Criteria – Greene County, MO (MS Word)
• Graduation Criteria – Montgomery County, MD (MS Word)
• Graduation Requirements - Brooklyn, NY (MS Word)
• Pre-Graduation Packet – Merced County, CA (MS Word)
• Sobriety Court Conditions for Successful Program Completion – 61st District Court, MI (MS Word)

Incentives and Sanctions

• Incentive Policy – Volusia County, FL (MS Word)
• Incentives – 7th Judicial District, OK (MS Word)
• Incentives and Interventions – Benton and Franklin Counties, WA (MS Word)
• Moving Between Bands and Phases – Brooklyn, NY (MS Word)
• Rewards – Merced County, CA (MS Word)
• Sanctions – Merced County, CA (MS Word)
• Sanctions – Palm Beach County, FL (MS Word)
• Sanctions and Incentives – Greene County, MO (MS Word)

Courtroom Protocols

• Court Room Procedures – Merced County, CA (MS Word)
• Drug Court Sessions – Benton and Franklin Counties, WA (MS Word)

Treatment Protocols/Treatment Phases

• Methadone Screening – Brooklyn, NY (MS Word)
• Naltrexone - Butte County, CA (Adobe Acrobat)
• The Treatment Program – Dallas County, TX (MS Word)
• Treatment Component – 3rd Judicial District, NM (MS Word)
• Treatment Program – Merced County, CA (MS Word)
• Treatment Protocol – Greene County, MO (MS Word)
• Treatment Protocol – Montgomery County, MD (MS Word)
• Treatment Providers and Programming – Benton and Franklin Counties, WA (MS Word)

Case Management Protocols and Supervision Protocols

• Case Management – Benton and Franklin Counties, WA (MS Word)
• Drug Court Case Management – 61st District Court, MI (MS Word)
• Law Enforcement's Role – San Diego County, CA (MS Word)
• Standard Operating Procedures for Surveillance Officers – 3rd Judicial District, NM (MS Word)
• Supervision Protocol – Greene County, MO (MS Word)
• Supervision Protocol – Montgomery County, MD (MS Word)
• Tracking Protocol – Greene County, MO (MS Word)

Drug Testing Protocols

• Drug Testing – 7th Judicial District, OK (MS Word)
• Drug Testing – Benton and Franklin Counties, WA (MS Word)
• Drug Testing Policies and Procedures – 61st District Court, MI (MS Word)
• Drug Testing Policies and Procedures – Merced County, CA (MS Word)
• The A.B.C.s of Drug Testing – Brooklyn, NY (MS Word)

Program Fees

• Collection of Drug Court Fees – San Diego, CA (MS Word)
• Fees – Greene County, MO (MS Word)
• Program Fees – Charleston County, SC (MS Word)

Data Collection Tools and Evaluation Designs

• Evaluation Plan for Virginia 's Drug Court Programs – Supreme Court of Virginia (MS Word)

Ethics and Confidentiality Statements

• Confidentiality – 7th Judicial District, OK (MS Word)
• Confidentiality – Brooklyn, NY (MS Word)
• Confidentiality Issues Pertaining to Drug Court - 3rd Judicial District, NM (MS Word)
• Ethics and Confidentiality – Montgomery County, MD (MS Word)
• Procedure – Confidentiality and Drug Court – San Diego, CA (MS Word)

Practitioner Confidentiality Forms

• Confidentiality Statement Form – 61st District Court, MI (MS Word)
• Site Visit Confidentiality Form – Dawson County, GA (MS Word)

Participant Confidentiality Waivers

• Consent for Disclosure of Confidential Substance Abuse Information – Merced County, CA (MS Word)
• Notice of Rights of Confidentiality for Drug Court Participants – Montgomery County, MD (MS Word)

Participant Handbooks

• Drug Court Handbook - Maricopa County, AZ (MS Word)
• Drug Court Program – Charleston County, SC (MS Word)
• Handbook – Duval County, FL (MS Word)
• Handbook for Participants – Syracuse, NY (MS Word)
• Participant Handbook - Benton and Franklin Counties, WA (MS Word)
• Participant Handbook – Merced County, CA (MS Word)
• Participant Orientation Packet - Flagler County, FL (MS Word)
• Wellness Court (DWI Court) Participant Handbook - Cass County Leech Lake, MN (Adobe Acrobat)

Participant Contracts

• Basic Understandings, Waivers, and Agreements – Charleston County, SC (MS Word)
• Client Contract – 22nd Judicial District, LA (MS Word)
• Drug Court Contract – Dawson County, GA (MS Word)
• DWI Drug Court Contracts – Bernalillo County, NM (MS Word)
• Participant Contract – San Diego, CA (MS Word)
• Participant Contract – Syracuse, NY (MS Word)
• Participation Application and Disclosure – St. Johns County, FL (MS Word)

Exit Interviews

• Graduation Survey for Drug Court Clients – Nashville, TN (MS Word)

Alumni Groups

• M.E.N.T.O.R.S. Program – Palm Beach County, FL (MS Word)

Publicity Strategies

• Drug Court Brochure - Charleston County, SC (MS Word)
• Drug Court Fact Sheet – San Diego, CA (MS Word)
• Drug Courts Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Montgomery County, MD (MS Word)
• PowerPoint Presentation - Duval County, FL (MS PowerPoint)

Funding Strategies

• Articles of Incorporation of Drug Treatment Court Foundation - Kalamazoo, MI (MS Word)
• Bylaws of the Drug Treatment Court Foundation – Kalamazoo, MI (MS Word)
• Memorandum of Understanding – Orange County Drug Court Foundation, CA (MS Word)

Other Useful Documents

• Additional Information Form – 7th Judicial District, OK (MS Word)
• Community Service Verification Form – 7th Judicial District, OK (MS Word)
• Department of Corrections Progress Report Form – Palm Beach County, FL (MS Word)
• Home Visit Information Sheet – 7th Judicial District, OK (MS Word)
• Non-compliance Assignment – 7th Judicial District, OK (MS Word)
• Participant Referral to Other Services - Palm Beach County, FL (MS Word)
• Physician Disclosure Policy – Volusia County, FL (MS Word)
• Progress Reporting Form – San Diego, CA (MS Word)
• Travel Request Form – Volusia County, FL (MS Word)
• Treatment Agency Progress Report Form – Palm Beach County, FL (MS Word)

Addiction Science Research and Education Center

With a focus on describing the brain's involvement in addiction, this site discredits popular drug myths and presents current facts on alcohol and drug pharmacology.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experiences, strengths, and hopes with each other to solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism. Information is available on alcoholism, the recovery program, and AA meetings.

American Evaluation Association

The American Evaluation Association is an international professional association of evaluators devoted to the application and exploration of program evaluation, personnel evaluation, technology, and many other forms of evaluation.

American Society of Addiction Medicine

The American Society of Addiction Medicine is an association of physicians dedicated to improving the treatment of alcoholism and other addictions, educating physicians and medical students, promoting research and prevention, and enlightening and informing the medical community and the public about these important issues.

BJA Evaluation Web Site

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Center for Program Evaluation web site is designed to provide state administrative agency staff, criminal justice planners, researchers, evaluators, and local practitioners with a variety of resources for evaluating criminal justice programs. The site features an electronic roadmap for evaluation, instructional materials, a glossary of evaluation terminology, evaluation reports, and useful links to other evaluation web sites.

California Association of Drug Court Professionals

The California Association of Drug Court Professionals works to reduce crime and recidivism related to substance abuse by promoting and advocating the establishment and funding of drug courts and collecting and disseminating information, technical assistance, and mutual support to association members.

The Center for Court Innovation

Technology is revolutionizing the way drug courts do business. With technology, drug courts can demand a higher level of accountability from participants, strengthen links to offsite partners, keep key players informed by sharing the most up-to-date information, and evaluate results quickly and efficiently. At this site, visitors can tour several innovative computer applications and learn how to create their own drug court technology.

Center for Substance Abuse Prevention

The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) connects people and resources to innovative ideas and strategies and encourages efforts to reduce and eliminate alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug problems both nationally and internationally. CSAP fosters the development of comprehensive, culturally appropriate prevention policies and systems that are based on scientifically defensible principles and that target both individuals and the environments in which they live.

Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's Decision Support System for States and Communities

CSAP's Decision Support System (DSS) promotes scientific methods and programs for substance abuse prevention for use within communities and state prevention systems. The site provides step-by-step procedures for needs assessment, capacity building, program selection, evaluation, and reporting. Additionally, the state system DSS includes special software for collecting and managing information about Substance Abuse Block Grant programs.

Center for Substance Abuse Research

The Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) informs policymakers, practitioners, and the general public about substance abuse—its nature and extent, its prevention and treatment, and its relation to other problems. CESAR conducts policy-relevant research and evaluation studies, disseminates statistical and other information, assists in training students in substance abuse research methods and policy analysis, and provides technical assistance to agencies and organizations working in substance abuse-related fields.

Center for Treatment Research on Adolescent Drug Abuse

The Center for Treatment Research on Adolescent Drug Abuse, at the University of Miami, was established to conduct psychosocial treatment research on adolescent drug abuse, from treatment development to mechanisms, evaluation, and dissemination.

College on Problems of Drug Dependence

The College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) is a professional organization of scientists whose research is directed toward a better understanding of drug abuse and addiction. CPDD serves as an interface among governmental, industrial, and academic communities maintaining liaisons with regulatory and research agencies and educational, treatment, and prevention facilities in the drug abuse field.

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America creates and strengthens the capacity of new and existing coalitions to build safe, healthy, and drug-free communities. The organization supports its members with technical assistance and training, public policy, media strategies and marketing programs, conferences, and special events.

Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Studies

Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Studies (DATOS) was initiated in 1990 to evaluate drug abuse treatment outcomes and emerging treatment issues in the United States. Important issues include shifting public concern and expectations for treatment, changes in funding and organizing treatment programs, and significant advances in research on the neurobiological bases of addiction.

Drugs and Crime Facts

The Bureau of Justice Statistics provides a summary of the latest statistics about drug-related crimes, law enforcement, courts, and corrections in the United States.

Drug Strategies

Drug Strategies is a nonprofit research institute that promotes more effective approaches to the nation's drug problems and supports private and public initiatives that reduce the demand for drugs through prevention, treatment, and law enforcement.

Drug Court Monitoring, Evaluation, and Management Information Systems: National Scope Needs Assessment

This project provides drug courts with resources to strengthen their capacity to collect the data necessary to effectively monitor and evaluate their drug court programs. The program will provide the drug court field with a wide range of assistance in the development and execution of both process and impact evaluations, a wide range of assistance in developing drug court management information systems (MIS), and specialized training on the development of drug MIS and evaluations. The project also will develop innovative information-sharing techniques to disseminate information on drug court evaluations and MIS and develop a needs assessment for training and technical assistance on MIS and evaluation.

Justice Management Institute

The Justice Management Institute provides services to courts and other justice system agencies throughout the United States and abroad. Its mission is to improve the administration of justice by helping courts and other justice system institutions and agencies achieve excellence—individually and in their relationships with each other and the public—in leadership, operations, management, and services.

Juvenile Justice Evaluation Center

The Juvenile Justice Evaluation Center was created to provide assistance to states and localities for evaluating juvenile justice programs funded by the Title II Formula Grant Program. The site can assist a variety of people throughout the juvenile justice field searching for information on assessing program effectiveness. Users can search specific juvenile justice program areas for information on resources including performance measures, evaluation designs, evaluation instruments, and publications. Users will also find links to federal government juvenile-related programs and initiatives. In addition, the site contains examples of state reports, contracts, and forms that enable states to share evaluation information with one another.

Louisiana Association of Drug Court Professionals

The Louisiana Association of Drug Court Professionals (LADCP) provides services, education, and assistance to reduce substance abuse, crime, and recidivism. LADCP promotes and advocates establishing and funding drug courts and collects and disseminates information, technical assistance, and mutual support to association members.

Monitoring the Future: A Continuing Study of American Youth

The Monitoring the Future project, begun in 1975, is an ongoing study of the behaviors, attitudes, and values of American secondary school students, college students, and young adults. Approximately 50,000 students (8th, 10th, and 12th graders) in 420 public and private secondary schools are surveyed annually. Study results are used to monitor trends in substance use among adolescents and young adults, and are used routinely in the White House Strategy on Drug Abuse.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a nonprofit grassroots organization with more than 600 chapters nationwide. MADD looks for effective solutions to drunk driving and underage drinking problems, while supporting those who have already experienced the pain of these senseless crimes. The web site features information on MADD's programs, legislative efforts, awareness campaigns, victim services, and strategic goals.

Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is an international, community-based association of recovering drug addicts. Started in 1947, the NA movement is one of the world's oldest and largest of its type, with nearly 20,000 weekly meetings in 70 countries. This site includes comprehensive reference material as well as information on NA World Services activities.

National Addiction Technology Transfer Centers

The Addiction Technology Transfer Centers (ATTC) are a nationwide, multidisciplinary resource comprising 14 independent regional centers and a national office. ATTC draws on the knowledge, experience, and latest work of recognized experts in the field of addictions. ATTC seeks to increase the knowledge and skills of all professionals who intervene in the lives of substance abusers and to foster alliances to support and implement best treatment practices.

National Association of Drug Court Professionals

The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) seeks to reduce substance abuse, crime, and recidivism by promoting and advocating the establishment and funding of drug courts. NADCP collects and disseminates information, technical assistance, and mutual support to association members.

National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors

The National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) fosters and supports alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and treatment programs throughout every state. NASADAD serves as a focal point for the examination of alcohol and other drug-related issues of common interest to other national organizations and federal agencies.

National Association of Drug Court Professionals Mentor Court Network

Recognizing that people learn best when they observe how others approach and solve problems, the Mentor Drug Court Network affords jurisdictions and individuals an opportunity to visit a mentor court, to observe the functioning of the court, and to gain insight and information that will be useful to the enhancement and growth of the visiting court. To help develop innovative law enforcement/drug court linkages, the National Association of Drug Court Professionals will arrange a visit for one person or an entire team to observe a mentor court with a strong law enforcement link.

National Center for Juvenile Justice

The National Center for Juvenile Justice (NCJJ) is dedicated to improving the quality of justice for children and families. The NCJJ mission is to conduct research and provide objective, factual information to increase the effectiveness of the juvenile and family justice systems. Those planning a new program (day or residential treatment, intensive probation, aftercare), can contact NCJJ to find out where similar programs have already been established and whether their impact has been positive or negative, or whether design specifications for a specific program already exist and how they can be used to strengthen your plan.

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information

The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) offers more than 500 items to the public, many of which are free of charge. NCADI distributes the latest studies and surveys, guides, videocassettes, and other types of information and materials on substance abuse from various agencies, such as the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges serves as a clearinghouse for juvenile information and statistics, and is recognized as one of the nation's most esteemed research facilities. Research results are integrated into the council's ongoing programs. Technical assistance is available to courts on all aspects of court operation and procedure. The council can help with court administration and management, program development, decisionmaking, and case law.

National Criminal Justice Reference Service

NCJRS is a federally funded resource offering justice and substance abuse information to support research, policy, and program development worldwide. It has a range of services and resources, including extensive reference and referral services to answer your questions about crime and justice-related research, and one of the largest criminal and juvenile justice libraries and databases in the world.

National Drug Court Institute

The National Drug Court Institute (NDCI) promotes education, research, and scholarship for drug court and other court-based intervention programs. NDCI provides comprehensive drug court training series, works to develop more effective drug court policies and procedures, and disseminates important drug court research, evaluations, and commentary.

National Drug Strategy Network

The National Drug Strategy Network (NDSN) battles drug problems by sharing accurate information about drug control strategies. NDSN is made up of individuals and organizations around the world, and is supported by the Criminal Justice Policy Foundation, a privately funded, nonprofit educational charity working on innovative solutions to problems facing the criminal justice system.

National GAINS Center

The National GAINS Center collects and disseminates information about effective mental health and substance abuse services for people with co-occurring disorders who come in contact with the justice system. The GAINS Center provides technical assistance to states, localities, and criminal justice and provider organizations that are in the process of developing or implementing services for people with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders in the justice system. The emphasis is on serving individuals at all stages of the justice system—law enforcement, jails, prisons, probation, and parole.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) supports and conducts biomedical and behavioral research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems.

National Institute on Drug Abuse

The mission of the National Institute on Drug Abuse is to lead the nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. This charge has two critical components: to strategically support and conduct research across a broad range of disciplines, and to ensure the rapid and effective dissemination and use of research results to significantly improve drug abuse and addiction prevention, treatment, and policy.

National Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities

National Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities (TASC) enhances public safety for communities by promoting treatment, professional standards, and accountability while advocating and providing information and technical assistance for systems and individuals. National TASC provides consultation and technical assistance to federal, state, and local agencies seeking to link the justice system with treatment.

Office of National Drug Control Policy

The principal purpose of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is to establish policies, priorities, and objectives for the nation's drug control program. ONDCP leads the nation's counter narcotics efforts by developing policies and coordinating, promoting, and implementing initiatives to successfully reduce the supply, use, and social acceptance of drugs in the United States. This mission is implemented through congressionally mandated activities as well as strategic initiatives aimed at reducing illicit drug use, drug manufacturing and trafficking, and drug-related crime and violence.

Pretrial Services Resource Center

The Pretrial Services Resource Center is an independent, nonprofit clearinghouse for information on pretrial issues and a technical assistance provider for pretrial practitioners, criminal justice officials, academicians, and community leaders nationwide. The center offers assistance regarding pretrial services programming and management and jail overcrowding.

Research Institute on Addictions

The Research Institute on Addictions, an institute of the State University of New York at Buffalo, is a national leader in the study of alcohol and substance abuse issues. Research topics include the etiology, prevention, and treatment of addictions; the role of alcohol and other drugs in violence; the needs of special populations; family functioning; drinking and driving; and the prevalence of gambling behavior.

SEARCH, The National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics

SEARCH offers technical assistance to local and state justice agencies in the development, management, improvement, acquisition, and integration of their automated information systems.

State Justice Institute

The State Justice Institute (SJI) was established in 1984 to award grants to improve the quality of justice in state courts, facilitate better coordination between state and federal courts, and foster innovative, efficient solutions to common problems faced by all courts. SJI has the authority to assist all state courts—criminal, civil, juvenile, family, and appellate—and the mandate to share the success of one state's innovations with every state court system and the federal courts. Key areas of interest include children and families in court, family violence, applications of court technology, improving public confidence in the courts, judicial branch education, and sentencing.

Tribal Court Clearinghouse

Devoted to providing information to people working in Native American tribal courts, the Tribal Court Clearinghouse is designed as a resource for tribal justice systems and others involved in the enhancement of justice in Indian country. The clearinghouse strives to (1) provide extensive information and resources concerning tribal courts and other issues related to the enhancement of justice in Indian country directly on the clearinghouse, (2) provide descriptive links to additional resources that will facilitate tribal court utilization of technological innovations and the vast information available on the Internet, and (3) foster and encourage the exchange of ideas and expertise between people working in tribal courts.

Vera Institute of Justice

Working in collaboration with government, the Vera Institute of Justice designs and implements innovative programs that encourage just practices in public services and improve the quality of urban life. Vera operates the programs it designs only during their demonstration stage. When they succeed, these demonstrations lead to the creation of new government programs, the reform of old ones, or the establishment of nonprofit organizations to carry on Vera's innovations.

List of Contributing Courts