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Barron County officials hear Family Recovery Court presentation highlighting fewer children placed out of home
Summary
Judicial and human services staff described a voluntary Family Recovery Court that uses frequent judge contact, recovery coaches and wrap‑around services. Presenters said the program has reduced out‑of‑home placements and is funded largely by federal OJJDP grants through 2026.
A judge and county human services staff on Feb. 17 told the Barron County Board of Supervisors that the county’s Family Recovery Court has cut the number of children placed outside their homes and helped parents regain custody through a coordinated support program.
The program is voluntary and pairs frequent judicial review with recovery coaches, treatment, parenting instruction and other services, presenters said. "This is an evidence‑based program where parents receive the services that really help," the judge said, adding that the court gives families supports they did not always receive in typical CHIPS cases.
Carla Bridal, youth and families program manager for Barron County, told the board that the county launched the court after out‑of‑home placements spiked during the methamphetamine crisis. "Back in 2018, we had 110 children placed out of home in our county," she said, and the Family Recovery Court has since helped return many children to their parents. Bridal said graduates of the program sometimes become recovery coaches who join the team.
Presenters described the program’s structure: the court meets every other Tuesday for about three hours — roughly 90 minutes of staffing and 90 minutes of court — and typically enrolls 12 to 18 parents at a time. A participant in a video shown to the board said, "Because of Family Recovery Court, I got my kids back," and another described improved housing stability and employment.
Funding for the program began with a 2019 federal grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) of about $650,000 over three years, organizers said. An enhancement grant awarded in 2023 runs through 2026 and totals about $896,000 in federal dollars, which the county has used for technical assistance, staffing and building program capacity.
Staff emphasized that the court’s goal is long‑term family stability: participants receive parenting training, budgeting help, help securing an apartment or driver's license, and connections to employment and treatment. Bridal recounted anecdotal outcomes including participants who were three months ahead on rent for the first time and one person who bought a car or kept a Christmas tree in the home for the first time.
Supervisors asked about long‑term follow up and program costs. Bridal said the court maintains contact through alumni meetings and local tracking of any new child protection involvement; the program also encourages alumni to become peer supports or recovery coaches. On costs, presenters said the county is working to sustain services after grant funding ends by reallocating existing staff duties, securing county budget support and seeking efficiencies identified during the grant period.
The board did not take formal action on the presentation; members expressed broad support and asked staff to continue reporting on outcomes and funding options.
The board also heard personal testimonials from current and former participants in the program’s promotional video, which officials said is used to recruit parents into the voluntary court.
