West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals issued the following announcement on July 7.
The Wood County Family Treatment Court hold an opening ceremony at 2 p.m. Monday, July 12, in the Judge Black Annex, 317 Market Street, in Parkersburg. At the same event, the Mid-Ohio Valley Adult Drug Court hold a graduation ceremony. The event is open to the media and the public.
The Wood County Family Treatment Court is the eighth Family Treatment Court to open in West Virginia. The others are in Boone, Calhoun/Roane, Logan, McDowell, Nicholas, Ohio, and Randolph Counties. Fourth Judicial Circuit (Wirt and Wood Counties) Judge Jason A. Wharton presides over the Wood County Family Treatment Court. Sherri Christman is the Family Treatment Court Case Coordinator.
Family treatment courts are designed to return children to a safer home environment and achieve permanency faster and more effectively than traditional methods. Family treatment courts serve individuals with substance use disorder who are also involved in child abuse and neglect cases.
The Supreme Court provides oversight, technical assistance, and training. A State Family Treatment Court Advisory Committee and the Supreme Court Division of Probation Services set criteria for eligibility and participation. The West Virginia court system continues to add treatment courts throughout the state and to support and celebrate graduates who complete such specialty court programs.
The goal of treatment courts is to help participants overcome substance use disorder and mental illness, thus improving the quality of life for them and their families.
Original source can be found here.
