Specialized Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS)

Parents with substance abuse issues involved with the child welfare system

For parents/caregivers of children ages: 0 - 17

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.

Nikki Nelson
STARS Program

• https://www.bridgesinc.net/programs/stars-program/
• Email: Nikki@bridgesinc.net
• Phone: (916) 453-2704 x129

The goals for Specialized Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS) are:

• Increase reunification rates
• Greater AOD treatment outcomes
• Reduce recidivism

The essential components of Specialized Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS) include:

• 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.

Parent/Caregiver Services

Specialized Treatment and Recovery Services (STARS) directly provides services to parents/caregivers and addresses the following:

• Substance abuse and mental illness

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.

Delivery Settings

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Birth Family Home
• Community-based Agency / Organization / Provider
• Group or Residential Care
• Hospital
• Outpatient Clinic
• School Setting (Including: Day Care, Day Treatment Programs, etc.)

Homework

This program does not include a homework component.

Resources Needed to Run Program

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

Resource requirements are having dedicated staff who are trained in substance abuse issues. Optimal caseloads are 18-25 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.

Prerequisite/Minimum Provider Qualifications

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

Manual Information

There is not a manual that describes how to deliver this program.

Training Information

There is training available for this program.

Training Contact

Training Type/Location:

Both onsite and regional depending on need

Number of days/hours:

2 days

• There are currently no published, peer-reviewed research studies on outcomes with the appropriate target population for the topic area(s) in which Specialized Treatment and Recovery Services has been reviewed.