President's Award: Brooklyn Drug Court Case Management

Case workers Samantha Petrone of Richmond Hill and Carrie Booker-Searcy of Van Wyck received President's Awards for their work with a new Brooklyn Treatment Court (BTC) program. Funded by the New York State Office of Court Administration and SAMHSA, the program targets nonviolent felony and misdemeanor drug offenders.

The only one of its kind with a New York City drug court, the program offers a planned shortened 90-day treatment period using a modified evidence-based practice called "Thinking for a Change." The BTC program has proven highly effective with a 63% completion rate and outcomes that are 30% higher than regular treatment.

Over the past year, the program brought 87 new admissions to Samaritan Village's Van Wyck and Richmond Hill facilities where the clients received methadone or Suboxone^® as part of their treatment.

Key to the success of the program were Samantha and Carrie who expertly handled the additional 4-7 cases per week in stride. Yet, it was the extras they brought to the table that made the program - and them - shine.

Hannah Horsford, Program Director of the Richmond Hill Medically Assisted Treatment and Recovery Center, said of Samantha: "Her skills do not end with her caseload work at Richmond Hill. I have seen Samantha resolve conflicts and handle other difficult situations with remarkable patience and admirable tact."

Assistant Vice President of Residential Services Harry Scott echoed similar sentiments when nominating Carrie. "Much of the success of the joint project at Van Wyck has been due to Carrie's efforts," explained Scott. "Her work with the Brooklyn Treatment Court clients is just another example of her outstanding service to the agency and its consumers."

Since treatment is court-monitored, a large part of Samantha and Carrie's jobs includes documentation for and communication with the BTC as well as reporting the results of clients' drug screenings.

These two individuals developed a strong collaborative working relationship with the Court and its staff while creating and implementing a new treatment model. "The net result is reflected in the number of clients who have successfully completed the program," said Scott.  

We applaud these women whose compassion and expertise have helped make the BTC program a phenomenal success with other local drug courts hopefully to follow.