Judge Winfrey Talks New family treatment court.

A major new program is coming to Laclede County, and local leaders believe it could help address one of the community’s most difficult challenges: keeping families together while helping parents overcome substance abuse.

Judge Larry Winfrey announced that Laclede County will launch a new Family Treatment Court beginning in July. The program is designed to work alongside the juvenile court system and focus on parents whose children have been removed from the home due to substance abuse issues.

According to Judge Winfrey, the success of the existing Drug Treatment Court made the new program possible.

“We would not be talking about number two, but for number one.”

The Laclede County Drug Treatment Court began in 2021 and focuses on helping high-risk, high-need individuals address the underlying causes of addiction instead of simply cycling through the criminal justice system. Judge Winfrey said the results have exceeded expectations, with nearly 30 graduates and, so far, none returning to the system.

The new Family Treatment Court will take a similar approach but with a different goal.

“The goal is reunification of the family.”

Families entering the program will receive intensive support, treatment services, and individualized plans designed to address the specific challenges that led to a child being removed from the home. Unlike traditional court processes, the program brings together a team of professionals who work directly with parents throughout their recovery journey.

The need is significant. Judge Winfrey said there are currently 146 children in foster care in Laclede County, a number higher than any other county in the circuit.

“We have one hundred and forty six kids currently in foster care in Laclede County.”

The program was developed after regional leaders identified Family Treatment Court as the number one priority for helping reduce the number of children entering and remaining in foster care.

Judge Winfrey credited the community, treatment providers, churches, recovery organizations, and volunteers for helping create an environment where recovery is possible. He also pointed to the growing success of Drug Treatment Court, Lane Change, and other local recovery efforts as proof that positive change is happening.

“People know that recovery is possible. They know that there’s hope out there.”

The new Family Treatment Court is expected to begin accepting participants this summer, with officials currently preparing staff, training team members, and identifying potential families for the program.

If successful, the program could help more parents achieve recovery, more children return home safely, and more families stay together.

Watch our full interview with Judge Larry Winfrey to learn more about how the new Family Treatment Court will operate and why local leaders believe it could have a lasting impact on Laclede County.