PHOENIX

TREATMENT COURT
From the flames of the past they shall rise.

Ingham County 30th Judicial Circuit Court-Juvenile Division

Annette M. Ellison, LMSW, ACSW
OUR MISSION

To partner with our youth offering services and

opportunities that foster:
Healing and Resiliency
Empowerment and Stability
Value in relationships that are
Secure, Trustworthy, and Enriching

Through providing a supportive and nurturing

environment our youth will do more than survive;
Like the Phoenix, they shall rise from the flames and
ashes of their past, take flight and soar.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Trafficking victims are not perpetrators. Bad behaviors are often a

manifestation of trauma.
Youth may not fit stereotypical perception of victims.
We are not rescuing youth. We are partnering with them on a
journey where they feel empowered, respected, and always treated
with dignity.
Building trust is paramount in engaging youth. Upholding the highest
standards of confidentiality, providing safety, and ensuring that youth
have opportunities to share their stories in a manner in which they
are heard are crucial.
The Healing process is long-term.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS Court
Support
Mental
Prevention Health
Services

Safety/
Aftercare Accountability

Phoenix
Family
Youth Education/
Services Vocation

Life Skills/
Mentorship/
Experiential Pro-Social
Learning Health/ Development

Wellness
COURT SUPPORT

Psychologically-minded and Trauma-Informed Treatment Team:

Judge, GAL, Prosecutor, Juvenile Court Officer,
Foster Care Worker, Therapist, and Supervisor

Frequent hearings before the Judge

Space where confidentiality and safety is respected

Pre-Hearing closed case conferences

Compliance Officer safety checks

PROGRAM COMPONENTS Court
Support
Mental
Prevention Health
Services

Safety/
Aftercare Accountability

Phoenix
Family
Youth Education/
Services Vocation

Life Skills/
Mentorship/
Experiential Pro-Social
Learning Health/ Development

Wellness
REFERRAL CRITERIA

Youth ages 12-17 court-ordered through Delinquency or

Dependency Petitions
Past or present history of sexual abuse, exploitation, and/or
commercial sex trafficking
Completed Sex Trafficking Screening and Comprehensive
Trauma/Needs/Strengths Assessment
Prior attempts at treatment may have been unsuccessful
Youth who may be an immediate harm to self or pose a risk to
others (i.e. actively recruiting for trafficker, etc.) will be
assessed and treated on an individual basis
The Phase System and Treatment Program
 THE PHOENIX COURT PHASE SYSTEM

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5

STAGES OF CHANGE

Pre- Contemplation Preparation Action Maintenance Termination

Contemplation

STAGES OF THERAPY

Trauma Work
Stabilization Preparation/ Processing Reintegration/Reconnection

STAGES OF HEALING*

Victim Survivor Leader

* Stages of Healing: Victim, Survivor, Leader (VSL) Model, GEMS (Girls Education and Mentor Services, New York)
PHASE SYSTEM Treatment
Compliance
Court/Behavioral
Compliance
Skill
Mastery

Phases are fluid; Youth will progress through phases at varying paces
Treatment driven
Youth will apply for Phase Promotion
All youth will enter at Phase 1

Youth who have been ordered to Residential will have 30 day review
hearings before Judge while completing treatment at their perspective
treatment facilities. Upon completion they will enter Phase 1. A needs
assessment will be used to determine aftercare services and what skills
they may need to help reintegrate into the community. Their time on
earlier phases may be much shorter
PHASE SYSTEM Treatment
Compliance
Court/Behavioral
Compliance
Skill
Mastery

Trauma work may adversely impact behavior

Expectations for sobriety will increase as youth progresses

through phases

Rewards and sanctions will be chosen to maximize therapeutic

interventions, youth goals, and opportunities to practice skills
REWARDS & SANCTIONS

WINGS PIT STOPS

WINGS: Reinforce self-efficacy, increase motivation, maintain engagement,
foster independence, and emphasize the ability to make safe choices

Direct attention/praise from the Judge

Praise from Treatment Team
30 day Safety Certificates
Phase Completion Certificates
Gift Cards
Reduction in hearings, drug screens, etc.
Graduation Ceremony
Special Gift for program completion
Eligible to become Peer Mentor
PIT STOPS: Opportunities to reflect on unsafe choices, reframe thinking,
reevaluate needs, make amends where necessary, and gain
appropriate support

Promote problem solving, critical thinking, self-care, respect of boundaries, and the skill of asking for help

Reflective Treatment Interventions (i.e. Cost

Benefit Analysis, Behavior Chain, Review of skills)
Reduction in privileges in community (i.e.
shortened curfew, tether, increase in safety
checks, tether*)
Increase frequency of hearings
Increase in drug screenings
Revisit earlier phases
Detention*
Residential Placement*
*(Loss of freedom if and only if severely unsafe to
self and/or others)
TREATMENT

Comprehensive Trauma/Needs/Strengths Assessment

Trauma-Focused, Cognitive Behavioral, Sensory Integration,
Emotional Regulation
Psycho-Education
Seeking Safety Skills
Individual, Group, and Family
Ancillary Services: Substance Abuse, Grief/Loss, Expressive Art
and Movement Therapy
PHOENIX COURT STEERING COMMITTEE

Judge Laura Baird Carol Kehoe

Scott Leroy Kim Baxter-Brown
Laurie Freed Elizabeth Montemayor
Michael Staake Rita Ermatinger
Dara Psarouthakis Jacquelynn Derrig
Rebecca Stowell Julie Arcaute
Annette Ellison