Wisconsin problem-solving courts directory

Ashland County
Type of court: Juvenile Drug Court

Origination date: January 2005 Implementation Grant DCPI Training Grant.

Target population: Youths between 13-17 who are non-violent criminal offenders

Summary: Have had successful graduates. No more than 8 candidates sat a time. Candidates are given a handbook, which explains rules and phases of the program.

Funding: Federal Grant: 2005 OJP Implementation Grant.

Primary contacts:
Anne Whiting, Juvenile Drug Court Coordinator
(715) 682-7532
ashdrugcourt@centurytel.net

Hon. Robert Eaton
(715) 682-7013
robert.eaton@wicourts.gov

Barron County
Type of court: Adult Drug Court

Origination date: January 2006 Pilot

Target population: Persons with felony drug charges

Summary: The goal is to reduce recidivism and keep drug users clean and sober through graduation between one and two years out.

Funding: Barron County

Primary contact:
Debbie Nichols
Debbie.nichols@co.barron.wi.us

Burnett County (in planning stage)
Type of court: Adult Drug Court and Alcohol Court

Year planning began: 2005 county planning

Primary contact:
Roberta Rudiger, MH/AODA Coordinator
Burnett County Health and Human Services
(715) 349-7600 ext. 1261
rrudiger@burnettcounty.org

Chippewa County
Type of court: Adult Drug Court

Origination date: July 2007

Target population: Criminal defendants who are charged in Chippewa County

Summary: The initial participants will likely be required to live in or near Chippewa Falls to ensure that they can attend all required parts of the program. We expect to begin with five participants.

Funding: No grant funding, but have found available funds in existing budgets

Primary contact:
Hon. Roderick A. Cameron
roderick.cameron@wicourts.gov
(715) 726-7781

Denay Kobernat, Drug Court Case Manager
Chippewa County Dept. of Human Services
DKobernat@co.chippewa.wi.us
(715) 726-7799

Dane County
Type of court: Adult Drug Court

Origination date: Began June 1996, LEBG Grant in 1998, US DOJ implementation grant in 1998

Target population: Non-violent drug offenders, misdemeanor and felony drug and drug-driven cases Two Tracks: Treatment Track for those with drug abuse/dependency and Education

Summary: Goal is to reduce drug use among program participants, reduce recidivism, increase the number of gainfully employed participants, improve job retention and reduce the criminalization of non-violent drug and drug-driven offenders. Evaluation results have been very positive with high success rates (over 500 graduates) and a much lower re-arrest rate for DCTP participants. 

Funding: Mostly Dane County general revenue. Some from the Dept. of Corrections, Federal JAG Grant and client fees.

Primary contact:
Hon. Sarah O'Brien
(608) 267-1565
sarah.obrien@wicourts.gov

Dunn County
Type of court: Diversion Court Origination

Date: Accepting applicants beginning August 2008

Target population: Non-violent felony charges pending due to involvement with drugs or alcohol. We are also accepting mental health participants.

Summary: Diversion Court is not your typical treatment court as it is a holistic treatment court. We will be using a number of risk and needs assessments that are evidence-based and in turn will help us serve our participants better and help them in their treatment goals. Diversion court is also a voluntary program for participants. More information can be found at the Diversion Court online (external link)

Funding: County funded as well as participant funded. Participants have a fee of $750 in which $250 of that can be taken off if they choose to complete a set number of community service hours.

Primary contact:
Carolyn Mnichowicz, Dunn County Diversion Court Coordinator
Arbor Place Inc.
320 21st ST NE Menomonie, WI 54751
(715) 235 4537 ext. 115
carolynm@arborplaceinc.com

Eau Claire County
Type of court: Adult Drug Court

Origination date: October 2004

Target population: Felony or enhanced misdemeanor offenders with drug and/or alcohol addictions (Meet DSM 4 criteria) that are subject to deferred prosecution agreement, have a withheld sentence and are on probation or are being reintegrated to the community after serving a prison sentence (on extended supervision).

Summary: Mission - To increase community safety and restore sober, productive and law abiding citizens to the community by breaking the cycle of drug and alcohol addiction through effective, long term treatment with intensive court supervision. 18 participants currently. Three phases with differing requirements and a six-month aftercare program. Eau Claire has a complete policy/procedure manual for those interested in more detail.

Funding: Eau Claire County DHS and DOC Volunteers. Federal grant for training.

Primary contacts:
Hon. Lisa K. Stark
(715) 839-6149
lisa.starck@wicourts.gov

Patrick Isenberger, Drug Court Coordinator, Human Services
(715) 831-5665
pat.isenberger@co.eau-claire.wi.us

Eau Claire County
Type of court: Mental Health Court

Origination date: July 2008

Primary contacts:
Hon. Paul Lenz
(715) 839-4815
paul.lenz@wicourts.gov

Mary VanRoy
(715) 839-6834
mary.vanroy@co.eau-claire.wi.us

Eau Claire County
Type of court: AIM Court

Origination date: January 2007

Target population: Misdemeanor and non-PSI felonies who are single mothers with AODA and/or mental health issues who also have custodial responsibilities for dependent children under the age of 12.

Summary: Eau Claire County took the initial intent of AIM and decided that we needed to develop a resource so that mothers assessed and determined to be appropriate for an alternative incarceration were given the proper tools and supports to succeed and thrive in our community.

The Eau Claire County AIM Support Court Program is a court that is a “helping Court” specifically designed to support, educate, direct and encourage mothers who have custodial care or joint care of their minor children.  Women participating in this supportive court have been convicted of either a misdemeanor or a non-PSI felony crime and who have issues with AODA and/or mental health concerns.  The long-term societal desire is to prevent irreparable harm to families that can be caused to due the incarceration of mothers.  The goal is to promote healthy and intact families utilizing the art of persuasion vs. punishment.

Funding: County funded

Primary contacts:
Hon. Benjamin Proctor
(715) 839-6170
benjamin.proctor@wicourts.gov

Tom Wirth
(715) 839-4870
tom.wirth@co.eau-claire.wi.us

La Crosse County
Type of court: Adult Drug Court

Origination date: Planning 1999, Implementation of Pilot January 2002, DCPI Training Grant

Target population: Felony offenders with drug addictions La Crosse County residents, 18 or older, no violent offenses, drug court ordered as a condition of probation or as a condition of a deferred prosecution agreement or as an Alternative to Revocation.

Summary: 40 participants currently. Three phases with differing requirements. La Crosse has a complete policy/procedure manual for those interested in more detail.  La Crosse has an Outcome Report for 2005 that is also available.

Funding: Federal Grant: Jan. 2002 OJP Implementation Grant and a La Crosse Community Foundation Grant.

Primary contact:
Hon. Dale Pasell
(608) 785-5880
dale.pasell@wicourts.gov

Anne Patton, Drug Court Coordinator - Justice Sanctions
(608) 785-6280
patton.anne@co.la-crosse.wi.us

La Crosse County
Type of court: OWI Court

Origination date: Planning 2005

Target population: N/A

Summary: N/A

Funding: Federal planning grant (OJP)

Primary contact:
Hon. Dale Pasell
(608) 785-5880
dale.pasell@wicourts.gov

Tammy Hanson
(608) 785-5749
hanson.tammy@co.la-crosse.wi.us

Chad Swanson
(608) 785-5533
swanson.chad@co.la-crosse.wi.us

Brayer Amble
(608) 785-5625
amble.brayer@co.la-crosse

Monroe County
Type of court: Adult Treatment/Drug Court

Origination date: January 2003 implementation grant.

Target population: Offenders with drug and alcohol addictions Monroe County residents, 18 or older, no violent offenses. Prefer condition of probation with stayed and imposed or as a condition of deferred prosecution.

Summary: Approximately 18 participants 2005.  Total served to date is 24. Three different phases with differing requirements presently revising our policy and procedure manual.

Funding: Federal Grant: January 2003 OJP Implementation Grant. Funded by the Monroe County Board of Supervisors as of 04/01/06.

Primary contact:
Hon. Michael McAlpine
(608) 269-8962
michael.mcalpine@wicourts.gov

Peg Thorson, Monroe County Justice Coordinator
(608) 269-8787
Fax: (608) 269-8970
pthorson@co.monroe.wi.us

Pierce County
Type of court: Drug Court

Origination date: Planning began January 2004, Implementation September 2004

Target population: Drug users

Summary: Reduce recidivism. Four graduates, ten participants.

Funding: Pierce County

Primary contact:
Hon. Robert Wing
(715) 273-3708
robert.wing@wicourts.gov

Racine County

Type of court: Drug Court

Origination date: January 2006

Target population: Fourth offense OWI and offenders with a second offense for simple THC or cocaine possession or first time meth possession.  Also, persons with minor offenses directly related to drug or alcohol use.

Summary: The Racine County Drug and Alcohol Treatment Court Team has been meeting since the end of 2004 and have participated in the NDCI training in 2005.  The project is currently piloting the program and has begun taking in clients.

Funding: Racine County

Primary contact:
Hon. Gerald Ptacek
(262) 636-3708
gerald.ptacek@wicourts.gov

Kerry Connelly - District Court Administrator
(262) 636-3133
kerry.connelly@wicourts.gov

Rock County
Type of court: Adult Drug Court

Origination date: March 1, 2007

Target population: Non-violent adult addicts charged with drug or alcohol related crimes.

Summary: Goal is to provide services to participants to address issues of motivation, problem solving, and skill building for resisting alcohol or drug use and criminal behavior. Services include drug and alcohol counseling, anger management and criminal thinking, counseling, educational, and employment assistance, and urine screens to insure abstinence. The Drug Court will monitor performance and progress with the goal of reducing recidivism and jail space needs.

Funding: TAD Grant and county supplement

Primary contact:
Hon. Richard Werner, Circuit Court Judge
(608) 743-2228
richard.werner@wicourts.gov

Sawyer County
Type of court: Drug Court

Origination date: January 2005

Target population: The 'FIRST STEP' program is a post plea program serving Adult offenders (18 or older) under the jurisdiction of the Sawyer County Circuit Court.

Summary: The Sawyer Drug Court program will provide integrated court supervision and substance abuse services through the FIRST STEP program. ‘FIRST STEP' will enhance public safety through a coordinated judicial intervention that promotes personal responsibility by creating opportunities for self-discovery, accountability, and treatment.

Funding: Federal Grant: January 2005 OJP Implementation Grant, Sawyer County Health and Human Services.

Primary contact:
Hon. Norman L. Yackel
(715) 634-4886
norman.yackel@wicourts.gov

Pete Sanders, Human Services
(715) 638-3301
petesanders@sawyerhs.hayward.wi.us

St. Croix County
Type of court: Adult Drug Court

Origination date: April 2006

Target population: Adults (18+) Non-violent repeat drug and alcohol offenders who would otherwise be incarcerated in the county jail and in state prisons are the target population of the St. Croix County Drug Court. 

Summary: The mission of the St. Croix County Drug Court speaks towards the objectives of reducing substance abuse and criminal behavior in order to improve the lives of offenders, families and the community by providing intensive court supervision and drug treatment while holding offenders accountable for their criminal behavior.  We currently have nine participants with hopes of increasing numbers in the near future; we have the ability to take up to 15 participants.  The program is one year and six months, minimum, in duration.  The program consists of four phases. Participants must be employed and participant in intensive outpatient treatment along with weekly attendance at three outside support groups.

Funding: Current funding for the St. Croix County Drug Court is coming from various places.  The first is from the fees each participant is required to pay.  Participants must pay a $10 weekly fee to the Drug Court.  The next place we receive funding is through St. Croix County Probation Office.  These monies are allocated to treatment at the Health and Human Services of St. Croix County.  With this money we are guaranteed twelve spots for Drug Court Clients in the Matrix Intensive Outpatient Program that is offered at the Health and Human Services.  The St. Croix County Drug Court has also applied for two grants.  These grants would help with that of training for the team members and the purchasing of drug testing kits for participants.

Primary contact:
Amber Perry, St. Croix County Drug Court Coordinator,
(715) 386-4723
perrya@co.saint-croix.wi.us

Trempealeau County
Type of court: Drug Court

Origination date: January 2006

Target population: Adults, non-violent drug abusers and OWI offenders fourth and higher

Summary: Court supervision, treatment, random UAs, community service, work and financial responsibilities, four phases

Funding: Planning grant, participants pay, county contributes $5,000

Primary contact:
Hon. John Damon
(715) 538-2311 ext. 239
john.damon@wicourts.gov

Waukesha County
Type of Court: OWI Court

Origination date: Planning in 2004 and 2005, implementation January 2006

Target population: Third offense drunk drivers who are Waukesha County residents and over the age of 18 with no prior violent convictions

Summary: Waukesha County participated in a Drug Court Planning initiative in 2004. The plan is to use the drug court model to create a new court/treatment/supervision model for the county. This design will reorganize the available treatment resources and develop effective collaborations. Goals include: reducing recidivism, decrease the number of new convictions and better manage the defendants’ needs.

Funding: Federal Grant: 2005 OJP Implementation Grant

Primary contact:
Waukesha County Coordinator
Criminal Justice Collaborating Council
(262) 548-7225

Winnebago County
Type of court: Drug Court

Origination date: January 2006 pilot

Target population: Non-violent offenders whose crimes are associated with drug addiction

Summary: To reduce recidivism, change offenders’ lives, and save tax dollars.

Funding: Winnebago County DHS

Primary contact:
Carol R. Koch - Safe Streets Drug Court Coordinator
(920) 236-4622
ckoch@co.winnebago.wi.us

Michael Olig, LPC, CSAC
Winnebago County Human Services - Safe Streets Treatment Option Program (SSTOP)                         
(920) 236-1268
molig@co.winnebago.wi.us

Wood County
Type of court: Drug Court

Origination date: October 2004 pilot

Target population: Drug users

Summary: Have had successful graduates. No more than 12 candidates at a time. Candidates are given a handbook, which explains rules and phases of the program.

Funding: Wood County

Primary contact:
Hon. Gregory J. Potter
(715) 421-8520
gregory.potter@wicourts.gov

David Dickmann - First Assistant Public Defender
(715) 345-5387
dickmannd@opd.wi.gov

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