Since 1997, WSADCP has organized an annual conference for drug court and other therapeutic court professionals. The conference is typically held in October.
The WSADCP conference provides Washington State therapeutic courts with information, resources, and skills to promote high-quality therapeutic court programs. In addition to providing information about best practices, the WSADCP Conference enables attendees to make meaningful connections with others from across the state.
The 2024 WSADCP Conference has ended. Stay tuned for information about 2025 Conference plans.
About the 2024 WSADCP Conference:
Developed in partnership with Administrative Office of the Courts, Washington State Health Care Authority, and the national All Rise Treatment Court Institute, the 2024 WSADCP Conference featured more than 30 trainings by national and local experts focused on promoting best practices in therapeutic courts and providing effective services to individuals and families impacted by substance use and other behavioral health disorders.
Nearly 500 drug court and other therapeutic court professionals from across the state attended the 2024 WSADCP Conference, including judges, defense attorneys, prosecuting attorneys, district attorneys, court coordinators, administrators, case managers, social workers, probation officers, treatment professionals, law enforcement, recovery support specialists, peer specialists, and therapeutic court graduates.
Under the 2024 theme “Stronger Together – Inspiring Connection”, the Conference brought together professionals from every therapeutic court model in Washington State including Drug Courts, Community Courts, Mental Health Courts, Veterans Courts, Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts, Juvenile Therapeutic Courts, DUI Courts, Domestic Violence Courts, and Collaborative Courts (which includes Family Treatment Courts, Early Childhood Courts, Safe Babies Courts, and Indian Child Welfare Act Courts).
Practitioners from twenty-nine Washington counties and two tribal nations attended, representing therapeutic courts at the Superior Court, District Court, Municipal Court, Federal Court, and Tribal Court level. The Conference featured specialized workshops for Community Courts and Collaborative Courts / Family Therapeutic Courts.
The keynote “From the Big House to the White House: Unlocking Potential” was delivered by Christopher Poulos, an attorney, speaker, writer, consultant, and Executive Director of the Center for Justice and Human Dignity.
The final plenary session, “The Science of Medication for Opioid Use Disorder” was delivered by Dr. Lipi Roy, a physician, international speaker, MSNBC and NBC medical contributor, entrepreneur, and host of the YouTube series Health, Humor, and Harmony.
The Washington State Therapeutic Court Alumni Association (WSTCAA) was founded after members initially connected at the Strength of Lived Experience Conversation at the 2023 WSADCP Conference. Similarly, the 2024 conference offered several opportunities for therapeutic court alumni (many of whom are now working on therapeutic court teams as peer specialists or other professionals) to connect with each other. There was also a session for prosecutors to discuss challenges and opportunities related to therapeutic courts, including eligibility and capacity issues.
More information:
2024 Conference Workshop Descriptions and Presenter Bios
