Recovery Support Court (RSC)
0600-509.00 | Revision Date: 6/13/2025

Overview

This policy guide provides an overview of the Recovery Support Court (RSC) and includes instructions on how to identify and document possible participants for this program.

Table of Contents

Version Summary

This policy guide was updated from the 02/08/2018 version, to reflect a change in program name from Dependency Drug Court (DDC)/Family Substance Abuse Treatment Program (FSATP) to Recovery Support Court (RSC); therefore, changing the name of this policy guide. Revisions were also made to reflect changes and current practice for RSC case criteria and eligibility.

POLICY

Recovery Support Court (RSC)

The Recovery Support Court assists parents in abstaining from substance use and maintaining recovery. To participate, a parent must be under the Dependency Court's jurisdiction, and the parent's substance use must have been a contributing factor. 

RSC is a voluntary program requiring parents’ willingness to participate in the program until the treatment provider reports that the participant no longer meets medical necessity. Participants must acknowledge the following:

  • Graduation from the program does not guarantee the return of their child/children, but it may increase the chance for family reunification.
  • Participation in, and completion of the RSC is not evidence of their successful completion of the Dependency Case Plan.

Organization and Services

Each Recovery Support Court Team is composed of the following individuals:

  • Child/Youth’s attorney
  • DCFS CSW
  • County Counsel
  • Hearing Officer
  • Parent’s attorney
  • Treatment provider

RSC services to parents may include:

  • Substance use disorder counseling, which may include random drug testing
  • Domestic violence and family violence counseling
  • Mental health services (individual counseling, preferably with a licensed therapist or registered intern under the supervision of a licensed therapist)
  • One-on-one attention from CSWs to identify and address parents’ individual needs
  • Residential and non-residential treatment
  • Family Preservation
  • Aftercare

Services recommended for the participating parent should be clearly outlined in the case plan.

Participating Service Planning Areas (SPAs)

The following Service Planning Areas (SPAs) participate in the RSC Program, and service providers include, but are not limited to:

  • SPA 1/Lancaster and Palmdale, Tarzana Treatment Center
  • SPA 4/Metro North, Cri-Help (residential services) and Homeless Health Care of Los Angeles (outpatient services)
  • SPA 6/Vermont Corridor, Special Service for Groups-HOPICS
  • SPA 7/Belvedere, Southern California Alcohol and Drug Programs 
  • SPA 8/Torrance, Behavioral Health Services, Inc.

Health Insurance

RSC treatment providers are contracted by Department of Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (DPH SAPC) to provide Drug Medi-Cal Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services. For clients determined to be eligible for Medi-Cal, providers can assist with Medi-Cal enrollment. Parents can be referred, screened, and linked to services within the initial thirty (30) days pending enrollment results. Note that in California, adults ages 18-64 qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal, regardless of immigration status, as long as they meet other Medi-Cal eligibility rules such as income limits. Clients who are uninsured or are not eligible for Medi-Cal will not be denied SUD services. Clients who have private insurance should contact their provider to determine SUD services coverage.

RSC Hearings

RSC participants must participate in regularly scheduled, progress Court hearings (Department 410) to discuss their recovery status. RSC hearings are held virtually every two (2) weeks. Just prior to a hearing, a participating parent’s case is reviewed at an administrative staff team meeting. Parents who are contemplating whether RSC is right for them may be asked by the CSW to observe/shadow a virtual hearing. If parents express an interest, the CSW will inform the Court (Department 410) accordingly and obtain verbal consent.

The Recovery Support Court CSW will present the following to the Court prior to the hearings:

  • A brief written report from the CSW
  • A treatment report from the provider
  • Drug test results
  • Any additional information that is pertinent to the participating parent’s progress

At the end of a hearing, the hearing officer will select the next hearing date, based on the parent’s progress and treatment phase. The only record of these hearings is a minute order stating that the parent appeared at the hearing and any orders issued by the hearing officer. The parent will receive verbal information regarding the Team’s expectations as well as a reminder of the next hearing date.

RSC Case Criteria and Eligibility

Cases that involve the following are eligible for RSC:

  • Parents with suspected SUD issues as a substantial/contributing factor
  • A petition (detained or non-detained) is filed in Dependency Court
  • Parents who are involved in the Dependency Court system, pre-disposition or are receiving Family Maintenance (FM) or Family Reunification (FR) services
  • Parents with an open criminal case are assessed on a case-by-case basis and accepted at the discretion of the treatment providers.
  • Parents with prior convictions (including violent convictions and incidents of domestic violence) are assessed on a case-by-case basis and accepted at the discretion of treatment providers.
  • Parents with mental health issues are assessed on a case-by-case basis and accepted at the discretion of treatment providers. Co-occurring disorders should not disqualify participation in the program.
  • Cases involving sexual abuse are assessed on a case-by-case basis and accepted at the discretion of the treatment providers.

Child and Family Team (CFT) Meetings

CFT meetings (CFTMs) provide the opportunity to inform parents of available substance abuse treatment resources, and to introduce them to RSC. If the parent’s substance abuse is identified during a CFTM, the CSW or facilitator will provide the parent with RSC information and notify the RSC SCSW.

Case Assignment and Transfer

Each Regional Office has an identified RSC CSW and SCSW.

Once the ER/CS/DI CSW identifies a potential RSC case, the ER/CS/DI CSW/SCSW will consult with the RSC unit to determine RSC CSW case assignment.  

If a potential RSC case is not accepted to RSC, the RSC SCSW will assign the case to a non-RSC CSW within the unit or return the case to the Transfer Desk for reassignment.

Required Forms

The parent's attorney will discuss the RSC with them. The RSC CSW will have the parent fill out and sign the DCFS 802, Consent to Release and Exchange Information. 

Upon receipt, the Court will identify the case as a RSC case. If the parent does not wish to participate in the program, the Court cannot make the parent participate and the case will not become a RSC case.

PROCEDURE

Identifying Recovery Support Court (RSC) Cases

ER/CS/DI CSW Responsibilities

  1. Review the case with the RSC CSW or SCSW.
  2. Invite the RSC CSW or SCSW to participate in the Staff Engagement between the ER/CS/DI CSW and the SCSW, when appropriate.
  3. Obtain approval to send the case to Recovery Support Court.
    • If the case is not determined to be a RSC case at the time of detention, but drugs are a main issue of concern, the case may be re-assessed for referral to the RSC.
  4. Clearly identify the case in the Initial Hearing Report's "Children's Whereabouts" section as a “Recovery Support Court Case.”

RSC CSW Responsibilities

  1. If a client is identified as a potential candidate for RSC, attend the CFTM to provide program information.
    1. The service provider may also attend the CFTM to complete a screening/assessment.
  2. Discuss the RSC Program with the potential participant to determine eligibility and their willingness to participate.
  3. For eligible clients who agree to participate in the RSC Program, complete the DCFS 802, Consent to Release and Exchange Information. 
    1. Submit the form (DCFS 802) to the designated service provider to obtain an intake appointment for the client.
    2. The service provider may require that a separate application be completed upon enrollment. 
  4. Provide referral and enrollment information to the Child Welfare Health Services Section (CWHSS) Program Manager by the fifth (5th) of every month.
APPROVALS

Recovery Support Court CSW and SCSW

  • Cases sent to the Recovery Support Court Program
HELPFUL LINKS

Forms

LA Kids

DCFS 802 (Spanish), Consent to Release and Exchange Information
REFERENCED POLICY GUIDES

0070-521.10, Assessment of Drug and Alcohol Use/Abuse

0070-548.01, Child and Family Teams

0080-502.10, Case Plans

0080-502-25, Court Family Maintenance and Voluntary Family Maintenance