The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Specialized Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS) program has been reviewed by the CEBC in the area of: Substance Abuse Treatment (Adult), but lacks the necessary research evidence to be given a Scientific Rating.

• Types of Maltreatment: Does not target any specific kind of maltreatment
• Target Population: Parents with substance abuse issues involved with the child welfare system.

STARS is operated by a local non-profit community-based organization that provides substance abuse treatment services through a contract with Sacramento County to serve families who have entered the County's Dependency Drug Court. STARS is designed to assist parents in entering and completing substance abuse treatment and other court requirements. Each parent who is referred to STARS is matched with a recovery specialist who assists the parent(s) in accessing substance abuse treatment services, develops a liaison role with Child Protective Services (CPS) and other professionals and provides monitoring and accountability for the parent(s) in complying with treatment requirements.

• Recovery specialists provide support, advocacy, and hold clients accountable for their recovery. The recovery specialists also act as liaisons between the court, client, and recovery center and they provide referrals to self-help meetings that are close to their home and appropriate to their needs.
• Alcohol/DrugTesting - Instant tests are used with the clients. Instant tests are designed as a screen to provide an immediate drug test result on the spot. If a screen comes up positive, the sample can be sent to a laboratory for verification. The instant tests provide immediate feedback regarding the client's possible usage. The testing is also used as a therapeutic tool to invoke honesty on the part of the client regarding any possible relapses.
• STARS reduces the barriers to treatment by providing immediate access to treatment, treatment matching, and liaison between treatment and the child welfare system.

Specialized Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS) was not designed with a child component.

Specialized Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS) was designed with a parent/caregiver component that addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms:

• Substance abuse and mental illness.

Specialized Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS) was designed to be conducted in a group setting; but has not been tested for use in a group setting.

Recommended group size:

The groups are limited to 20 participants. The groups are considered pre-treatment groups. They are focused on teaching clients about the treatment process (i.e., expectations or requirements of treatment) and to make sure clients do not get lost in the t

Recommended Intensity:

The parent is initially required to meet with his/her recovery specialist at least twice a week. Based on the parent's progress, the intensity is then lowered to one contact per week and then decreased to once every two weeks.

Recommended Duration:

It is expected that parent will participate in the program for 9-12 months. Typical contacts last 20-30 minutes.

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Birth Family Home
• Community Agency
• Hospital
• Outpatient Clinic
• Residential Care Facility
• School

This program does not include a homework component.

Specialized Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS) does not have materials available in a language other than English.

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

Resource requirements are having dedicated staff who are trained in substance abuse issues. Optimal caseloads are 18-20 clients per recovery specialist. It is also crucial that the location of the program be in close proximity to the court to reduce the number of clients who may get "lost" on their way from court to the program. The program in Sacramento is located right across the street from the court house.

Recovery specialists need to be certified as alcohol and drug counselors.

There is a manual that describes how to implement this program, and there is training available for this program.

Training Contacts:

• Tianna Roye
  Bridges, Inc.
  tianna@bridgesinc.net
  phone: (916) 453-2704 x13
• John Durbin, Intake Coordinator/Recovery Specialist
  john@bridgesinc.net
  phone: (916) 453-2704 x15

Training is obtained:

Both onsite and regional depending on need.

Number of days/hours:

2 days.

This program has been reviewed and it was determined that this program lacks the type of published, peer-reviewed research that meets the CEBC criteria for a scientific rating of 1 – 5. Therefore, the program has been given the classification of "NR - Not able to be Rated." It was reviewed because it was identified by the topic expert as a program being used in the field, or it is being marketed and/or used in California with children receiving services from child welfare or related systems and their parents/caregivers. Some programs that are not rated may have published, peer-reviewed research that does not meet the above stated criteria or may have eligible studies that have not yet been published in the peer-reviewed literature. For more information on the "NR - Not able to be Rated" classification, please see the Scientific Rating Scale.

Child Welfare Outcomes: Not Specified

Currently, there are no published, peer-reviewed research studies for Specialized Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS).

No reference materials are currently available for Specialized Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS).