The Michigan Association of Drug Court Professionals 13th Annual Conference is now open for registration.

MADCP, in cooperation with the Michigan Judicial Institute (MJI), is pleased to host a two-day conference specifically designed to meet the educational needs of circuit, district, family and probate court judges, judicial branch staff, healthcare providers, treatment providers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement officers and administrators, probation/parole officers, community corrections staff, legislators and legislative staff and anyone who deals with drug and alcohol abuse. Whether or not your jurisdiction has a Drug Treatment Court, this conference will enhance your skills in dealing with the needs of substance abusing defendants/clients.

Every year, the conference provides the latest research and best practices for dealing with the substance abuse and mental health disorders of persons involved in the justice system. The 2012 conference will continue to offer the level of education you have come to expect, but with an added component we are calling “The Art of Recovery.”  Various sessions throughout the conference will present the most recent research on drug abuse and addiction, with illustrations and insights from artists, to show how art can compliment science in more fully understanding the human dimensions of addiction and the struggles of those so afflicted. The emerging role of art as a powerful force in fostering an environment and society more supportive of recovery will be presented by musicians, visual artists, dancers and actors, who are themselves in recovery.  Be sure to check the conference agenda for free performances going on throughout conference as well as workshops which will give you examples of activities that can be incorporated into your drug court program that will foster long-term recovery.

Your Representative to Congress is Crucial to Saving Drug Court Funding!

Your Representative needs to hear from you by MAY 20, 2011!

The U.S. House is constructing next year's budget, and each Member has a voice.

Fight to protect Federal Funding for drug courts by reminding your leaders how drug courts reduce crime, save money, serve veterans and produce productive citizens.

NADCP helps you compose send your letter electronically.

GO HERE to send a letter.

Contact Tonya Griesback at tgriesbach@nadcp.org if you have questions.

Who should go to drug court?

Do you want to maximize your limited drug court resources by making good choices regarding participants?  The Adult Drug Court Research-to-Practice Initiative (R2P) will tell you how, with the help of noted presenters Dr. Fred Cheesman, Dr. Douglas Marlowe and Hon. Robert Russell. 

Monday, May 23, 2011      

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET

You must register to attend by using this form.  You will receive webinar login info upon submission of this form.

It is recommended that you sign up in advance to guarantee availability.

There have been a lot of announcements from NADCP lately regarding grants for drug courts. 

Check out these opportunities!

Grant Title:  Adult Treatment Court Collaboratives (SAMHSA)

Focus of funding:  Mental health and substance abuse services enhancements

Qualitifed Courts:  Adult Felony, DWI, and Family Dependency

Deadline for Application:  June 6, 2011

Link:  www.samhsa.gov/grants/2011/ti_11_010.aspx

Grant Title:  Joint Adult Drug Court Solicitation to Enhance Services, Coordination and Treatment (DOJ/OJP/BJA/HHS/SAMHSA)

Focus of Funding:  Enhance Drug Court programs and systems for nonviolent substance-abusing offenders.

Qualified Courts:  Single Jurisdiction Drug Courts

Deadline for Application:  June 9, 2011

Link:  www.ndci.org/training/federal-funding-opportunities/joint-adult-drug-court-solicitation-enhance-services-coordina

(See application attachment (1) below.)

Grant Title:  Adult Drug Court Discretionary Program (DOJ/OJP/BJA)

Focus of Funding:  To establish or enhance drug court services, coordinaton, offender management and recovery support services

The Battle Creek-based W.K. Kellogg Foundation has announced $1.2 million in funding to help provide low-income people in Michigan with improved access to healthy, fresh food by doubling the value of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits used at farmers' markets.

Operated by the Detroit-based Fair Food Network, the Double Up Food Bucks program enables shoppers using SNAP benefit cards to purchase fresh food at farmers' markets. For every $2 spent, shoppers receive $2 in bonus tokens, up to $20 per visit. The tokens can be used to buy more fresh, locally grown foods. The program is serving residents in Flint, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Saginaw, and Traverse City, communities in which an average of 17 percent of residents receive SNAP benefits and 30 percent of children receive food assistance.

"Double Up Food Bucks provides an incentive to use SNAP benefits at markets filled with fresh food rather than stores with few healthy choices. This not only stretches residents' food dollars, it keeps those food dollars in the local community, supporting local farmers." The Double Up Food Bucks project was piloted in Detroit in 2009 and launched in Southeast Michigan in August 2010.  Double Up Food Bucks tokens are also available at five markets in Detroit, four markets in Washtenaw County, and four markets in Battle Creek.

Would this be useful for your drug court participants?  Go the the links in the text for more info.