Court Ordered and Alternate Dispute Resolution Services

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Faith Based Trauma Informed

Without the time, expense, and stress of going to court.

DIVORCE MEDIATION

Divorce mediation involves a neutral party (the Mediator) working with a divorcing couple to help them reach an agreement on the issues in their case. The issues can be about child support, custody and visitation, dividing property and spousal support.  A Mediator is not a judge.  He or she helps the couple reach a voluntary agreement

FAMILY MEDIATION

Many divorcing parents use mediation to work out agreements on matters like parenting time, child support, alimony, division of assets, and other issues that are impacted by their separation. The mediator and both parents will meet as a group during joint sessions; some mediators may elect to have a one-on-one meeting with each parent to build trust and help them each prepare for the group meetings.

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The number of sessions it takes to finalize the process varies for each situation, but the end goal for many involved in family mediation is to prepare a parenting agreement that can be presented to the court for approval. While this process may not be without difficult moments, mediation can prove to be less painful and leave both parents feeling more satisfied with the results moving forward.

Court‑ordered classes are designed to help families create safer, healthier, and more stable environments, and they typically include parenting courses that teach child development, discipline, and safety; co‑parenting or family‑stabilization classes that help separated parents communicate effectively and reduce conflict; and anger‑management programs that focus on emotional control and healthier responses to stress. Courts may also require domestic‑violence or batterers‑intervention programs to address abusive behavior and promote accountability, as well as alcohol or drug awareness classes when substance use affects parenting or family safety. In cases involving neglect or unsafe conditions, child‑abuse prevention courses help parents understand supervision and legal responsibilities, while high‑conflict parenting or communication classes support families dealing with ongoing disputes. 

Drug and Alcohol Evaluation (SASSI-4)

At The Agape Counseling Center, we utilize the SASSI, or Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory, an online questionnaire designed to assess the likelihood of an individual having a substance use disorder. Once completed, our counselors review the report, and results are typically available within 24 hours.  For those needing expedited results, same-day options are available for an additional fee, which is essential for our court-ordered alcohol programs and the drug counseling certificate process.

DWI/DUI

In Texas, DWI class requirements stem from Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 42.12: first-time offenders need a 12-hour DWI Education Program (DWI-E), while repeat offenders must complete a 32-hour DWI Intervemtion Program (DWI-I); drug-related offenses may require a 15-hour Drug Offense Education Program (DOEP),and completed by a court-ordered deadline, usually within 180 days, to avoid license suspension. 

Types of Programs

• First DWI Offense: A 12-hour DWI Education (DWI-E) course focusing on the dangers of impaired driving.
• Repeat DWI Offense: A 32-hour DWI Intervention Program (DWI-I) for those with multiple convictions.
• Drug-Related Offenses: A 15-hour Drug Offense Education Program (DOEP) may be required. 

Alcohol Awareness 

This DWI/ Alcohol Awareness class is designed to help offenders increase their knowledge about alcohol & drugs as these substances relate to driving skills; to identify their own individual drinking/drug use and driving patterns; and to assist them in developing plans which will reduce the probability of future alcohol related offenses. Satisfies up to a 4-hour educational requirement

Substance Abuse / Drug Awareness 

The substance abuse class offers drug abuse resistance education. It explains drug possession and drug use charges in the state of Texas. The drug education class provides information on the dangers of drug use and the long-term effects of drug use on the body. Learn the signs of drug abuse and addiction, and what can be done to break the cycle of drug use. Satisfies up to a 4-hour educational requirement

PARENTING AND CO-PARENTING

In Texas, court-ordered parenting classes, called Parent Education and Family Stabilization Courses, typically last 4 to 12 hours, with many online options being around 4 hours to meet the state's minimum requirement, while some in-person programs might be longer (e.g., 9 hours over several weeks) and cover divorce impacts, child development, conflict resolution, and co-parenting skills. 

Key Details:

• Duration: Usually 4-12 hours total, often split into sessions.
• Minimum Length: A 4-hour course satisfies the basic legal requirement under Texas Family Code § 105.009.
• Content: Focuses on children's needs during divorce, co-parenting, conflict management, and family stabilization, taught by court-approved professionals.
• Format: Can be online, in-person, or a mix, with courts often allowing separate attendance.
• Requirement: Mandated by judges in divorce/custody cases to finalize orders, with failure to complete leading to potential legal consequences.  

ANGER MANAGEMENT

In Texas, anger management class requirements vary, usually mandated by courts or probation for offenses like assault, and often involve 4 to 36 hours of content, including learning triggers, communication, and coping skills, with online options Zoom and live sessions available, requiring completion certificates for legal compliance and sometimes featuring supervision components for specialists. 

Common Requirements & Formats:

• Court-Ordered: Often for misdemeanor offenses (like assault) or probation/parole conditions, requiring a certificate of completion.
• Content: Focuses on identifying triggers, understanding anger cycles, developing empathy, communication skills, and managing responses.
• Duration: Can range from short programs (e.g., 4 hours) to longer ones (8, 12, 16+ hours).
• Delivery: Available: Online or In-Person

Outpatient Treatment (IOP)

Court-ordered Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) in Texas are addiction treatment programs for DUI/DWI or probation, providing therapy and education without inpatient stays, with requirements typically including 6+ weekly hours (e.g., 2 hrs/day, 3 days/week for 9 weeks), attendance, payments, and consistent participation, often monitored by courts with random drug testing, all detailed in a court order following a substance abuse evaluation to determine specific needs. 

Key Components of a Court-Ordered IOP

• Assessment: A court-ordered substance abuse evaluation first determines the severity of the issue and recommends the appropriate level of care, including IOP.
• Treatment Structure: IOPs offer structured therapy, including group counseling, individual sessions, and recovery education, balancing intensity with flexibility.
• Typical Requirements (Vary by Court/Program):
  • Hours: Often 6+ hours per week for several weeks (e.g., 9 weeks), with some programs requiring 48+ total hours of treatment.
  • Frequency: Multiple sessions per week, often 2-3 days weekly.
  • Consistency: Must attend specific days/times, with failure to do so leading to discharge or fees.
  • Monitoring: Probation officers or counselors may order random drug/alcohol testing.
• Program Length: Can range from 8-12 weeks, followed by maintenance care.
• Completion: Includes attending all sessions, making payments, and receiving a certificate of completion, reported back to the court. 

Please contact The Agape Counseling Center at (830) 832-1509.