Family Treatment Court starts in Callaway County

Treatment Court Commissioner Casey Clevenger
Treatment Court Commissioner Casey Clevenger

Treatment Court Commissioner Casey Clevenger conducted the 13th Circuit's first Family Treatment Court docket Monday at the Callaway County Courthouse.

Clevenger was appointed in November 2015 after a unanimous vote by the judges of the 13th Judicial Circuit.

"I've seen a need for this kind of a program in the community for several years," Clevenger said. "I am hopeful that offering treatment to parents who have struggled with a substance use disorder and are involved in the criminal justice system can lead to more successful outcomes for these parents and their children."

Clevenger was an assistant prosecutor in Callaway County and served as the New Bloomfield municipal judge. She is a member of the Fulton Rotary Club and former president of the Callaway County Bar Association. She said starting this court was a goal she set when she was appointed in 2015.

"I am pleased that it has come to fruition so quickly," Clevenger said. "I look forward to seeing how this court can help round out the services the 13th Circuit's treatment courts are able to provide."

This is the newest court of the circuit's current six treatment courts. Eligible participants must have a juvenile case pending in Family Court as well as a criminal case pending in associate or circuit criminal court and must reside in Callaway County. Referrals may be made through the Callaway County Juvenile Office or Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

"The Family Treatment Court is a win for Callaway children and the families who appear in front of me in juvenile court," Judge Sue Crane said. "I was so pleased when Commissioner Clevenger took on this challenge and so very pleased at the community support we've seen so far. I look forward to reunifying families much sooner with this resource in place and hope to see it expanded for other families in the near future."

Planning for the Family Treatment Court started in October and involved treatment providers in the community. Family Treatment Court participants will receive treatment, counseling, parent classes and, in some cases, housing.

Agency partners include the Housing Authority, CARDV, Center for Women's Ministry, Faith Maternity Care and Family Counseling Center. Treatment court team members include the Callaway County Sheriff, Children's Division, the Prosecutor's Office, Probation and Parole, the Public Defender's Office, Juvenile Office, William Woods University and Westminster College.

"This court is a significant addition to the treatments courts of the 13th Circuit which started with the Boone County Adult Drug Court in 1998 and now include Callaway Drug Court, Boone and Callaway DWI Court, Boone Mental Health and 13th Circuit Veterans Court," said Judge Christine Carpenter, administrative judge of the Treatment Courts.

The Family Treatment Court will be funded by participant fees and, in the future, by potential grant funds. It is anticipated court will be conducted every week.