They have a good team so although the judge is knowledgable and balanced in approach, they have almost an ideal team- there is a state's attny there, a def attny, and a PO, along with the 'head' of the drug program- these people are always the same people, at least any time I've seen the show. But instead of them fighting against each other, they are all looking at whether or not 'something' would help in the recovery process or if the person is doing well or not. No one- not even the judge- takes over the drug program itself or the recommendations from the drug program. To me, this is the way it's supposed to work. And I really have a hard time understanding why this approach can't be modified to try to help juveniles better, even if their issue isn't addiction.
I guess it's partly due to not really having a tried-and-true method for it. I know they say MST is but frankly, most jurisdictions that use that don't have a very good succeess rate so I don't know how long they can keep up their claim to 'evidence based therapy'.
Now where it falls apart here is that the PO decides everything, not a case manager or experienced person in MH, whatever. And that PO is not that experienced or knowledgable (juvie csu doesn't get the most experienced or educated, usually), then the case manager or any providers are as described on my thread in General. If a parent says they can and will get a more qualified provider on board, too bad- unless PO approves it and then PO tells the provider what to work on or whatever. The parent has to sign consent and release forms to allow this.
So first- you have a PO deciding what the problem is or what treatment is needed- never mind that POs aren't MH profs, substance abuse screeners, etc
Second, you have the least qualified (and that term is used loosely) providers ordered
Third, the focus isn't on what is working or what might help- the focus is on the PO always being reassured that everyone is doing what he/she ordered; if it doesn't work, the kid is recommitted; they will tell you they will alter the plan if it isn't working but in any of the years I've been involved with difficult child in this, the only 'modification' to the plan was to incarcerate him
Fourth-even when the parent has something better lined up, they have to stick to whatever PO says- including the provider- reminder- the focus on delinquents stays on ensuring the family/kid ALWAYS does what PO says, there aren't conversations about what is in the kid's best interest-in their monds, the issue is 'compliance' so it's all about being compliant even when the decisions are stupid and useless and make matters worse; once you've proven that, the 'treatment' is stopped
As I have been told- if PO orders family therapy, we get whomever he has sent to the home- and that won't even be a licensed MH prof and it will be a person who uses that same stupid form and the 'goal' will be whatever PO says to work on. I can go tell PO that I can take us to a licensed psychiatric and I probably will not be allowed to. Now in my cynical mind, I tend to think that's partly because no licensed, ethical MH prof is going to let any 3rd party dictate what they are addressing in family therapy with clients.