The First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court was named a national adult drug court mentor court by the NADCP National Association of Drug Court Professionals! The FJDFRC provides evidence-based holistic treatment for individuals involved with the criminal justice system rooted in substance use. This treatment includes intensive outpatient services, gender-specific trauma groups for males/females, outpatient groups/individuals, parenting education, and family therapy. The NADCP mentor courts host teams from other jurisdictions for observation and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. We are honored to be one of ten adult drug courts chosen to advance the valuable work of recovery courts. #LoveRestores
We want to congratulate the six graduates from the combined First and Second Judicial District Felony Recovery Courts and Washington County Misdemeanor Recovery Court graduation! We enjoyed celebrating their hard work, and Families Free wants to extend a sincere thanks to all the community partners for showing their support. #LoveRestores
That’s the smile of our first Men’s IOP graduate from the Johnson City office! We want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to Tony, and we feel privileged to witness his hard work. We are proud of you, Tony! #LoveRestores
This past Tuesday, November 30th, we had the great privilege of honoring our First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court graduates Kelsey, Savannah, Ira, and Matthew. Rep. Tim Hicks was our keynote speaker for the ceremony, and we enjoyed music by Matthew Owen. It’s always a joyful time when we get to celebrate this important milestone for our graduates. We know their futures are full of hope and look forward to seeing them flourish. #LoveRestores
Families Free is a licensed outpatient/co-occurring treatment center through the TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TNDMHSAS).
“It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness …”
On Tuesday, November 26th, Chris and Kristin were honored by members of the Families Free and First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court teams during our second annual Recovery Court Graduation. Along with current program participants, family, and friends, we all gathered together to celebrate their hard work and success.
The First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court provides alternatives to jail time, such as counseling, curriculum, and access to several opportunities that are designed to support their sobriety. It’s an important tool for those who need help staying out of the cycle of jail time, being released, and then returning.
Through this opportunity, both Kristin and Chris completed the five phases of the program and met personal goals along the way. Kristin maintained two jobs during her time in our program, bought a vehicle, has been sober since July of 2018, and she’s investing in her future by attending classes at Northeast State.
Chris has been sober since October of 2017, completed the Morgan County Residential Recovery Court, had his license reinstated, and he continues to support his success through our program by securing safe and sober housing. Both graduates have displayed perseverance in achieving goal after goal, and in combination with their hard work, the accomplishment of completing the Recovery Court program serves as an inspiration to not only their fellow participants but also every person they meet.
Judge Lisa RiceGraduates Kristin Nelms and Chris HagyJoshua Rice shares a poem he had written honoring a friend he had lost due to a substance abuse disorderRachel Roden – Felony Recovery Court CoordinatorGraduate Chris Hagy with Judge Stacy StreetGraduate Kristin Nelms and Judge Lisa RiceJason Abernathy and Brian Bowman (who performed at the graduation), Judge Lisa Rice, Families Free Executive Director Lisa Tipton, and Clinical Director Robin Ledford
The FJDFRC team and participants invited community members to join us in lighting a candle to join in the work we are doing in the area.
We want to once again congratulate our 2019 graduates, and our team looks forward to seeing how Chris and Kristin continue to bring about positive change not only for themselves but for our community as well. #LoveRestores
We want to extend a special thank you to Judge Stacy Street, Judge Lisa Rice, Joshua Rice, Jason Abernathy, and Brian Bowman for speaking and performing during the graduation ceremony. We also want to thank the other members of the FJDFRC team which include additional recovery agencies, judges, law enforcement members, district attorneys, and public defenders who work to ensure the success of the participants.
The First Judicial Recovery Court program is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
“Public safety extends beyond party lines and has the best interest of every Tennessean in mind,” said Gov. Bill Lee.
According to The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), Governor Bill Lee’s FY20 budget proposal includes $4.7 million to increase access to recovery courts, supplement recovery court programming with Medication Assisted Treatment, and create a new residential recovery court for women. With $1.7 million in additional funding, recovery courts will expand capacity by 20 percent and serve an additional 500 Tennesseans each year.
Tradition: a noun meaning to “hand down statements, beliefs, information, etc. from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice.”
Traditions are so important to not only families but individuals as well, especially during the holiday season. For some of our clients, establishing new Christmas traditions that support their recovery feels like starting from scratch. However, just like our Executive Director Lisa Tipton said – “It just takes one person to start a tradition …”
If your family, church, or business is looking to give back this holiday season, we have two different ways for you to connect with families in need. Our Target registry is comprised of items that will help make this holiday season special for the families we serve. Your kindness will ensure that local children receive gifts and necessities wrapped with care by their parents, who have done the hard work of transforming themselves and their families, during our annual Client Christmas Party.
On Thursday, October 11th members of the Families Free and First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court teams, current participants in the program, family, and friends gathered to celebrate the success of Brooke and Kaice. Both women joined the First Judicial District Felony Recovery Court program looking for a second chance.
“The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie – deliberate, contrived, and dishonest – but the myth – persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.” JFK
Families Free was invited to take part in the event for Building Strong Brains: Tennessee in Nashville today. This ACEs Initiative is a major statewide effort to establish Tennessee as a national model for how a state can promote culture change in early childhood based on a philosophy that preventing and mitigating adverse childhood experiences, and their impact, is the most promising approach to helping Tennessee children lead productive, healthy lives.
Dr. Karen Schetzina and Executive Director Lisa Tipton next to the informational poster for their Baby Steps to Success ACEs project.
Families Free’s work in the community mirrors these very same goals, and we address the hard issues facing our region: addiction, child welfare, and poverty. Our programs help build the capacity of vulnerable families through education, intervention, and restoration of relationships – all of which strengthens families and our community as a whole. We love Tennessee’s commitment to children and families, and we are so grateful for their state funding and support in our efforts to build and foster resiliency. #LoveRestores
