Flathead County District Court Judge Heidi Ulbricht hopes a grant for a new drug treatment court will have a positive impact on families and children who are neglected and abused.

The county recently received a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice that aims to provide treatment for substance abusers, victims of domestic violence and child therapy. The grant will fund the program for three years.

“What we’re doing in terms of those affected by substance abuse isn’t working,” Ulbricht said. “The drug problem in the county is at an epidemic level and arresting and jailing those battling addictions hasn’t solved the problems. But treatment has a chance to reunite children with their parents.”

Ulbricht said 80 percent of the 150 children taken from a parent’s custody in Flathead County in 2017 were removed due to substance abuse issues.

“Preferably, the children go to stay with a grandparent or other family member, but there are several that end up in foster care,” Ulbricht said.

Ulbricht said parents must have a substance-abuse disorder to be eligible for drug court, but they are not required by the county to enter it.

“It’s voluntary, they have to want to get the treatment,” Ulbricht said.

Ulbricht is in charge of the new court with help from the Montana Department of Justice, the Office of the State Public Defender, the Child and Family Services Division of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, court-appointed special advocates and local treatment providers.

Ulbricht said the court may handle 12 families in the first year, which would represent about 36 children, and 20 families during the second and third years.

Once parents are screened, those with the most severe addictions may go to a residential facility in Butte or Billings, while others can stay in their community for treatment.

“The treatment will be intense management,” Ulbricht said. “Parents would have to be in court every two weeks and mental health counseling will also be a big component.”

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office supports the drug court, Ulbricht said, because they see firsthand the effects of the drug problem.

The county Health Department will also provide education for parents through its Baby Steps program as well as medical services.

“We want to help parents get sober so they can properly care for their kids,” Ulbricht said. “It’s my passion and conviction to advocate for children in the Flathead Valley.”

The new court is expected to start in early 2019. Those interested in applying for it may contact Ulbricht’s office at 406-758-5669 or at chrissy.frerich@mt.gov.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 406-758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.