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Recovery Court

The S.T.E.P. program is designed to assist chemically dependent individuals with their court ordered treatment plans.

The Mecklenburg County Supervision, Treatment, Education, and Prevention (S.T.E.P.) Program was established in 1995 to monitor the treatment of chemically dependent adult individuals and hold them accountable for complying with their court-ordered treatment plans.

Program participants are referred by their attorney or the sentencing judge and screened prior to admission to determine their appropriateness for program participation. Upon acceptance, participants are assigned a case coordinator who works with them for the duration of their program participation, which is a minimum of one year.

Throughout their involvement, program participants are required to take part in court supervision, drug screening or testing, and drug or alcohol treatment programs. An assigned case coordinator meets regularly with them to promote behavior changes and to assist in needed services (i.e., medical, social, employment, and housing).

Bridge Program Referral Form
Offers community-based case management services, alongside peer
support services, using a harm reduction approach.
Recovery Court Referral Form
Complete the referral form for a client.

Program Mission and Goals

The S.T.E.P Program's mission is to holistically inspire and empower individuals on the pathway to recovery and mental wellness by bridging the gap between the family, community resources, legal entities, and by advocating for and reducing the stigma of recovery in the criminal justice system.

The overall goal of the program is to significantly break the cycle of addiction that gives rise to repeated law-breaking episodes. By enhancing the likelihood that the drug-driven offender will remain drug and crime free and socially responsible, the S.T.E.P. Program seeks to reduce justice system, health system, and other societal costs associated with continuing drug use and criminal involvement.

The goals of the S.T.E.P. Program include the following:

To reduce alcoholism and other drug dependencies among adult and juvenile offenders and defendants and among respondents in juvenile petitions for abuse, neglect, or both;
To reduce criminal and delinquent recidivism and the incidence of child abuse and neglect;
To reduce the alcohol-related and other drug-related court workload;
To increase the personal, familial, and societal accountability of adult and juvenile offenders and defendants and respondents in juvenile petitions for abuse, neglect, or both; and
To promote effective interaction and use of resources among criminal and juvenile justice personnel, child protective services personnel, and community agencies.