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The development of the Family Intervention Team was undertaken and maintained without new staff or funding. 1999 was the first year in which specific staff are dedicated to this effort and not diverted from other tasks. In order to achieve meaningful success our systems must be altered to meet the challenges of our clients. One of the most significant needs in the community is for some type of long term drug treatment effort for youth. In an effort to solve that problem we have developed a day treatment center headquarted at the Career Training and Education Center. In this program half the day is devoted to educational efforts and the other half to substance abuse treatment, and or Mental Health counseling to include parents as well as the youth. In addition, parenting classes are offered both to youth and their families. Approximately 25 youth are involved in this effort at any one time. Parenting classes are funded under the Family Preservation process of the Welfare Division of the Human Service Department. Residential living arrangements have been developed for youth that cannot live at home but do not need to be placed in Juvenile Hall. Two homes have been opened. Walnut Grove in Sutter County serves six youth up to age thirteen and Cathedral Oaks in Yuba County that serves youth fourteen to eighteen. The advantage of local placement is to allow preparation of the parents as well as the youth for reunification.

In addition, a weekly program for parents who are involved in divorce proceedings has been established which requires attendance in an effort designed to promote responsible parenting. Additional parenting classes, employment training, and self-help groups are needed. This project is involved in identifying the service gaps in the community, including residential drug treatment, family counseling, and work sites for therapeutic hours imposed on youth that appear before the court.

Because of the comprehensive nature of the FIT effort, our project has included the efforts of our Employment Service Staff and relies on local law enforcement to assist in the project. Local Police and Sheriffs make random, weekly visits to the homes of FIT Families to monitor progress and offer support.