our services

The Foundation provides a wide range of support and assistance to participants in the very successful Orange County Collaborative Court programs.  Virtually all our assistance is in response to specific requests from the Court that have been vetted by County staff.   We pay for interim sober living housing, educational assistance, restorative dental services, eye care and lenses, transportation passes, supplemental mental health counseling and basic needs.  The Foundation also sponsors cultural and sporting events typically attended by judges and program staff that allow participants to reconnect with friends and family in a positive environment and helps participants experience the benefits of sobriety.

The Orange County Collaborative Court programs are designated “Mentor Courts” by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and serve as models for programs across the country and throughout the world.  Collaborative Court judges, staff and participants have all recognized the important role the Foundation plays participant success in the program and after graduation. Together, we help participants – including veterans – secure employment, restore relationships with family and become productive members of society.

Random Acts of Kindness

Many of our clients have lived lives characterized by decisions that damaged their health as well as their relationships with friends and family.   Our clients often tell us that our support or services are extremely important to helping them overcome specific problems that are obstacles to employment or education.  However, they also tell us how much their self-confidence is increased by the simple fact that perfect strangers care enough about them to provide this support.  Many of our clients have struggled mightily throughout their live and the impact of random acts of kindness from strangers is magnified in a good way.

Why we provide Supplemental Counseling, Vision Care and Dental Services

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) does a great job providing counseling to participants as a key component of many Collaborative Court programs.  However, some Mental Health Court clients require additional counseling, especially those who are dealing with trauma induced substance abuse or mental health issues.  Like other support, we pay for supplemental counseling only when the Court determines the participant needs it and asks us to provide it.

The ability to see is vitally important to two program requirements – obtaining and maintaining employment and/or be a full-time student.  Many participants have not received eye exams or care for many years and their eyesight is a major liability in a job market that presents major hurdles for those with a history of substance abuse or mental health issues.  The Foundation pays for an eye exam and any required corrective lenses when the Courts asks the Foundation to provide these services and after the Court has determined the participant needs those services to succeed in the program.

Many participants have neglected their dental health for many years and the nature of substance abuse is such that some have serious infections that are painful and can be life threatening.  In some cases, the pain and related effects can be debilitating, and participants can’t use the drugs that may be necessary to relieve pain.  In other cases, teeth are removed because they are diseased or contributing to unhealthy dental conditions.  Any cosmetic benefits are incidental to restoring dental health.

What Educational Assistance does the Foundation Provide?

A very large percentage of participants enter the program without a job and without a high school diploma.  The Foundation provides scholarships that pay for classes at local community colleges as well as tuition at vocational schools.  Participants tell us that just attending classes at a community college engenders a boost in confidence that they can succeed.  We encourage participants to look for vocational education that will provide the skills that are in demand at the time and are most likely to lead to employment.  

Interim Sober Living Housing

In certain cases, Drug Court and DUI Court clients are placed in residential treatment facilities when they begin the program and then transition to a sober living facility.  Some of those clients have not yet secured employment or just found a job and are unable to pay for the sober living facility at the time of transition. In those cases, the Foundation will pay for transitional housing – typically one or two weeks – with the understanding that the client will begin paying as soon as they are able.

Education

A very large percentage of participants enter the program without a job and without a high school diploma.  The Foundation provides scholarships for classes at local community colleges as well as tuition at vocational schools.  Participants tell us that just attending classes at a community college engenders a boost in confidence that they can succeed.  We encourage participants to look for vocational education that will provide the skills that are in demand at the time and are most likely to lead to employment.

Vision & Dental Care

The ability to see is vitally important to two program requirements – obtaining and maintaining employment and/or be a full time student.  Many participants have not received eye exams or care for many years and their eyesight is a major liability in a job market that presents major hurdles for those with a history of substance abuse of mental health issues.  The Foundation pays for an eye exam and any required corrective lenses when the Courts determine that participant needs and request the services.

Many participants have neglected their health – physical and dental for many years and the nature of substance abuse is such that some have serious infections that are painful and can be life threatening.  In some instances the pain and related effects can be debilitating and participants can’t use the drugs that may be necessary to relieve pain.  In other cases, teeth are removed because they are diseased or contributing to unhealthy dental conditions.  Any cosmetic benefits are incidental to restoring dental health.

Transportation

Transportation passes enable participants to meet their numerous obligations – attending frequent court and counseling sessions as well as traveling to and from the mandatory full-time work or school.  Many clients have lost their driving privileges and/or don’t have a car or the funds to maintain and insure a vehicle.  The Foundation provides the Courts with daily or monthly bus passes for those participants and the Courts allocate the passes on the basis of need.

Social and Cultural Activities

Participants have spent a good portion of their lives making poor choices that have alienated family and friends.  Giving those in recovery the opportunities to take their family members to the Getty for a special Art Museum LA tour or to participate in a softball game or bowling tournament with friends, peers and Court staff are the best way to mend fences and build/rebuild relationships.

Necessities

Some Collaborative Court participants fall on hard times even when they are doing well in the program – a function of not having any resources to fall back on.  When requested by the Court staff and assuming we have funds available, the Foundation will provide food cards, gas cards or pay for clothing, diapers and other necessities.  We also periodically provide limited child-care services when a participant has a job but does not have the resources to pay for or otherwise arrange child care.