The Winnebago County Enhanced Drug Court is a specialized problem-solving court for non-violent offenders with a substance abuse dependency and who demonstrate a willingness and likelihood for rehabilitation. This unique criminal justice program provides for increased judicial supervision and accountability of the participant while providing expedited access to substance abuse treatment. Drug Court is a voluntary program, but participation is subject to meeting the eligibility criteria and obtaining approval and acceptance of the Drug Court team.  Drug Court is enhanced through many evidence based practices such as recovery coaches, Seeking Safety classes, Cognitive Behavioral classes, increased urine screens, specialized probation officers, motivational interviewing and increased access to residential substance abuse treatment.

Key partners in Drug Court are the 17th Judicial Circuit Court, State’s Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Adult Probation Department, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC) and Gateway Foundation.  All partners are dedicated to the success of Drug Court.

Winnebago County is invested in its enhanced Drug Court and wishes to maintain and continuously improve services for the drug court-eligible population with support from Adult Redeploy Illinois (ARI) for many reasons, not the least of which is to continue to divert individuals from the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). Of those eligible, an average of 276 offenders are referred to drug court each year and 149 of those offenders are found eligible for drug court.  Thus, based on that data, a 25% reduction in IDOC commitments from the eligible drug court population would translate to 37 individuals diverted from this eligible population per year.

With program funding from Adult Redeploy Illinois, Winnebago County is dedicated to the 25% reduction in IDOC commitments. Winnebago County also intends to enhance services through integrated data sharing.  Integrated data sharing will allow Winnebago County to use data to inform program modifications, better assess programmatic needs and monitor quality assurance.  Furthermore, with Adult Redeploy Illinois support, Winnebago County will be able to: retain two jobs which it will otherwise lose; conduct increased urine testing for drug court participants; and provide dedicated inpatient treatment beds for this population. In short, the Adult Redeploy Illinois initiative will allow for seamless, uninterrupted drug court service delivery resulting in a reduction in the number of IDOC commitments from the drug-court eligible population in Winnebago County.

Award: $250,000 (15 months – October 1, 2011-December 31, 2012)