Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment Court

Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment Court Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment Court Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment Court

Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment Court

Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment Court Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment Court Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment Court
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985-446-1970

What is a Treatment Court?

Adult Drug Treatment Court - 

Lafourche Parish Adult Drug Treatment Court is a special court given the  responsibility to handle cases involving chemical using offenders  through a combined supervision and treatment program.  The program  includes frequent drug testing, judicial and probation supervision, evidence-based treatment, educational opportunities and the use of  sanctions and incentives.  The Judge is much more involved in  supervising drug court offenders than just placing an individual in a  probationary or diversionary program for substance abuse treatment.  At any time  during your participation, you could be terminated from the program by  the Drug Court Judge for not complying with the rules and the treatment  plan developed. Termination from the Drug Court Program will result in  the revocation of your probation and imposition of your sentence. 


Family Preservation Treatment Court - 

Lafourche Parish Family Preservation Court is a program designed to help families with minor children that are at risk of being removed from the home, or have been placed into Foster Care by DCFS. We want you and your children to remain a family unit and focus on providing treatment services and referrals that assist the family in becoming stable and healthy.  In order for us to help you and your family to reach that goal, we will provide you with substance abuse treatment, drug testing, parenting skills, trauma treatment, mental health treatment referrals, group and individual counseling, domestic violence prevention, and anger management sessions. We may also help you with GED Classes, and employment/job training. Treatment will be tailored to each participant, so that you will be able to address the areas required by your DCFS Case Plan- and meet the unification/re-unification requirements and timeline under ASFA.  

Our Programs

Adult Drug Treatment Court

Adult Drug Treatment Court

Adult Drug Treatment Court

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Family Preservation Court

Adult Drug Treatment Court

Adult Drug Treatment Court

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FEES

Drug Court has partnered with COURTMONEY. You can now pay your drug court fees online. Click the image to navigate to the payment website. COURTMONEY handles all fee disputes, not the drug court office.

Adult Drug Treatment Court

Our Mission: Where unbiased and nondiscriminatory approach meets accountability in helping individuals attain responsible sobriety through quality treatment and judicial interaction.


The Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment Court was established in April 1999  as an alternative to traditional methods of treating people with  substance use within the criminal justice system.  It is a  voluntary program targeting the non-violent, adult, drug abusing  offender.  Eligible offenders must participate in the four phase program  for a minimum of sixteen months and agree to the following: 

 

  • Abstain from substance use
  • Attend all counseling sessions
  • Submit to random drug testing
  • Attend Self-Help Recovery meetings
  • Attend all court sessions
  • Pay fees
  • Employment and/or attend school


Intensive outpatient treatment services are provided by the Lafourche  Parish Drug Court.  Participants will have access to the following  treatment services: 


  • Detoxification/Stabilization
  • Random Drug Testing
  • Alcohol/Drug Education
  • Evidence-based Treatment in an outpatient setting
  • Inpatient Treatment referrals
  • Medical Examination referrals
  • Psychiatric Evaluation referrals
  • Case Management Services
  • Family Education
  • Halfway House referrals


The  offense for which a defendant is arrested need not be a drug related  offense to enter the program. Eligibility criteria are as follows:  


  • No history of violence
  • No history of drug dealing
  • Must meet treatment criteria
  • No major mental illness
  • No prior firearm conviction
  • No significant evidence of dealing drugs for profit in the instant offense
  • No firearms charge in the instant offense
  • No crime of violence in the instant offense
  • The  District Attorney has reason to believe the individual who is charged  suffers from alcohol or drug use/dependence and the community will be  best served by treating rather than punishing the offender


Participants who successfully complete program requirements will attend a  commencement ceremony.  Most participants are granted Article 893/4 to set  aside their conviction,  allowing for the option of expungements or  pardons.  The availability of these provisions are determined by the  offense to which the participant plead guilty and the criminal history  of the participant.  Statistics show that Lafourche Parish Drug Court  graduates are seldom convicted of another serious crime. 


Participant fees are used to support program costs and are as follows:  

  • Intake fee - $130.00
     
  • Weekly programmatic fee - $30.00
     

All fees must be paid prior to program completion. Major funding for our program provided by:  

  • Louisiana Supreme Court Drug Specialty Court Office
     
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families(TANF)
     

Supplemental funding by:  

  • Friends of Lafourche Drug Court Foundation
  • Louisiana 17th Judicial District Court
  • Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office




Adult Handbook - Revised 2.14.25 (docx)

Download

Family Preservation Court

Our Mission: We help families reunite and become functional through treatment, sobriety, and responsible parenting. 

 

The Lafourche Parish Family Preservation Court was established in 2018 as a means to bridge the approach in helping children and their families who are under supervision of the state. The court's multidisciplinary team assesses the family's abilities, and needs, in order for the team to systematically address pre- and postnatal exposure of the children to alcohol and/or other drugs.


Program Goals:

  • Our program is designed to help you to keep your children in the home, or have them returned to you if they are in foster care. 
  • We will give you the treatment and skills necessary to: remain alcohol and drug free, take care of mental health needs, gain effective parenting skills, and teach you life skills that will enrich your family relationships.
  • By progressing through this program, you will show the court, DCFS, and attorneys that you are willing to remain alcohol and drug free, and become a responsible parent. 
  • By participating in this program, you can gain increased visitation with your children, if you are staying sober and living a healthy lifestyle.

  

Eligible individuals will participate in the four phase program  for a minimum of twelve months and agree to the following: 

 

  • Abstain from substance use
  • Attend all counseling sessions
  • Submit to random drug testing
  • Attend Self-Help Recovery meetings
  • Attend all court sessions


Intensive outpatient treatment services are provided by the Lafourche  Parish Family Preservation Court.  Participants will have access to the following  treatment services: 


  • Detoxification/Stabilization
  • Random Drug Testing
  • Alcohol/Drug Education
  • Evidence-based Treatment in an outpatient setting
  • Inpatient Treatment referrals
  • Psychiatric Evaluation referrals
  • Case Management Services
  • Family Education
  • Halfway House referrals


Family Preservation participants are not charged any fees to participate in the program.


Major funding for our program provided by:  

  • Louisiana Supreme Court Drug Specialty Court Office
     
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families(TANF)

Family Preservation Handbook - Corrected - 1-11-23 (pdf)

Download

Emergency Preparation

Natural and man-made disasters are of concern to everyone.  We want our  clients to be prepared in the event that a disaster strikes Louisiana.   If you dial the Lafourche Parish Drug Court(985-446-1970) then EXTENSION  110, you will hear a message regarding the status of Drug Court  activities.  If the Drug Court closes unexpectedly or the schedule is altered because of severe weather or a natural/man-made disaster, you  will receive instructions on how to proceed with your Drug Court  obligations. 

 In the event of a hurricane or other emergency in which communication  with staff or clients is uncertain, the following rules apply: 

 Check the EMERGENCY LINE - Extension 110 has been designated as our  emergency line.  Important messages during emergencies will be reported  here.

  • Dial the Drug Court number. (985)446-1970
  • When the greeting plays, press 110
  • Listen to the ENTIRE message and follow all instructions
  • When the Drug Court is closed for  emergencies, check the emergency line daily. We will attempt to update  the message each morning before 8AM.

When moving, even temporarily, clients are always responsible for  keeping their counselor and probation officer informed of where they are  staying. 

If you must evacuate, let your counselor know your plans. 

If a road closure prevents you from meeting a Drug Court requirement, let your counselor know. 

When possible, notices will be placed on the court house door regarding Drug Court. 

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office will be updated on Drug Court status. Check with them if necessary. 

 When possible, updated information will be uploaded to this website.  Also, sending an e-mail to  emergencyresponse@lpdtc.org will provide an automated response with updated information. 

MEET THE TEAM!

Honorable Marla M. Abel, Presiding Judge, Drug Treatment Court & Family Preservation Court

Jaret Hubbell, LPC, Coordinator-Executive Director, Adult Drug Treatment Court & Family Preservation Court

  

Born and raised in Thibodaux, Jaret attended Nicholls State University, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2003 and a Master of Arts in Psychological Counseling in 2005. He began work in Mental Health Rehabilitation as a Mental Health Professional during his graduate work and continued to do so while earning his license to practice Professional Counseling, which he completed in 2009. He continued working in Mental Health Rehabilitation as a Clinical Manager while building his own practice, when he began contract work with Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment Court in 2012. In 2014, he was offered and accepted a full-time position as a Substance Abuse Counselor with the treatment court and has enjoyed it ever since.

 
 

“I never thought that I would be working actively with both the justice system and with individuals with addictions, but this is some of the most rewarding work I have done. The team we have is dedicated and highly trained. I look forward to seeing how we can help our participants and the community in the future.” 

Farrah Ayo, Case Manager, Adult Drug Treatment Court & Family Preservation Court

Farrah Ayo, a native of Terrebonne Parish. Attended college at Arkansas State University where she completed her Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2013. Farrah has been with Lafourche Parish Drug Court since 2016 as the Case Manager, and has been involved with the Family Preservation Court since its interception. Farrah lives in Chackbay with her husband of 17 years and their two daughters Chloe and Carsyn.


"I enjoy the work that I do. It is fulling to watch people transform through both programs."

Craig Wilson, CIT, Counselor, Adult Drug Treatment Court & Family Preservation Court

Moved to south Louisiana from Mississippi in 2017, Craig attended Nicholls State University where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Pre-Counseling in 2022. Craig obtained a Counselor-In-Training (CIT) certification in 2023, from the Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (LAADRA). He is currently enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s Program at NSU, as well as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the university. He began working in the Mental Health Rehabilitation field at a local inpatient substance use disorder treatment facility in 2019, while working as a night manager, case manager, and counselor. In January 2024, he joined the 17thJDC Lafourche Parish Drug Court team.


“Working with individuals struggling with a substance use disorder is a passion and privilege of mine. Being able to see individuals overcome obstacles, and rebuilding their lives is a gift to watch and is very rewarding work. I believe there is hope for any person to get better if they are willing to commit to it for the long haul. I am grateful for the opportunity to work at the 17th JDC, and look forward to helping the participants become a healthy part of the community.” 

John Turchin, Counselor, Adult Drug Treatment Court & Family Preservation Court

Madeline Black, Counselor, Adult Drug Treatment Court & Family Preservation Court

Janelle Bergeron, Administrative Assistant I, Adult Drug Treatment Court & Family Preservation Court

As administrative assistant at Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment Court since 2007, she assists with the Drug Court office finances, processes invoices, manages phone lines, data entry, assists participants with their fee balances and greets associates at the window.

A resident of Thibodaux, Louisiana, and a graduate of Thibodaux High and Vocational school with successful completion in administrative courses and computer software.


"I enjoy my job here at LPDTC. Observing the positive physical changes the participants go through as they progress through their recovery in the Drug Court program is rewarding."

Miranda Dantin, Administrative Assistant II, Adult Drug Treatment Court & Family Preservation Court

A native of Lafourche Parish. She graduated from Central Lafourche High School in 2007. Miranda is Administrative Assistant II here at Lafourche Parish Drug Treatment Court/Family Preservation. She’s been with the court since November 2022. 


"I am looking forward to growing with the agency. I really love what I do here and enjoy working with my colleagues. I have a passion for helping others and look forward to continue assisting the program's participants."

MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM MEMBERS BELOW

Both Adult and Family Preservation's multi-disciplinary teams are composed of experts who share their knowledge and expertise within their respective professions, make informed decisions and bring rational perspectives to the team. The team's collective goal is to provide coordinated strategy of responses to participant's behaviors to ensure adherence to program requirements utilizing best practices.

Vanessa Zeringue, Assistant District Attorney, Family Preservation Court

A native of Lafourche Parish, earned a Bachelors in Arts from Southeastern Louisiana State University in 2001 in Political Science with a minor in History. Immediately upon completion of undergrad, she attended law school at Loyola University School of Law where she graduated in 2004. After successfully passing the bar, she worked in private practice and at the Terrebonne Parish Indigent Defender’s Office until 2018. She started with the Lafourche Parish DA’s Office in 2019. While employed with the DA’s office she has worked in all divisions of court handling juvenile cases and was part of the inaugural family preservation team in February of 2019.


“The collaborative effort between several agencies and offices offers one-of-a-kind treatment to parents needing assistance in the hope of preserving their family. I am proud to say that I am part of this team. ”

Alissa Lebouef, Assistant District Attorney, Adult Drug Treatment Court

Multi-disciplinary team not pictured

Andrea Stentz, Chief Indigent Defender, Adult Drug Court & Family Preservation Court

Leteya Scott, DCFS Supervisor, Family Preservation Court

Macy Fanguy, DCFS Case Worker, Family Preservation Court

Tara Nolan, DCFS Case Worker, Family Preservation Court

Valencia Jairles, DCFS Case Worker, Family Preservation Court

Angela Adams, Louisiana Probation & Parole, Adult Drug Court

Ryan Perera, Lieutenant, Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office, Adult Drug Court

Jennifer Knight, Lieutenant, Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office, Adult Drug Court

Links

17th JDCLafourche ParishLafrouche Parish Sheriff's officeLouisiana Association of Drug and Specialty CourtsNational Association of Drug Court ProfessionalsLafourche Parish District Attorney

Join our team!

APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT (pdf)

Download

Contact Us

201 Green St, Thibodaux, Louisiana 70301, United States

Phone: 985-446-1970 Fax:(985)446-9880

Open today

08:30 am – 04:30 pm

Copyright © 2023 Lafourche Parish Drug Court - All Rights Reserved.

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