Manchester, KY — A recent study shows that Clay County’s Family Recovery Court (FRC) has generated significant financial savings—totaling more than $519,000—while helping families overcome substance use disorder and reunite with their children.
The FRC program, a voluntary initiative led by Volunteers of America and Judge Clint Harris in partnership with the Department of Community Based Services, focuses on safety, sobriety, and long-term family stability. By coordinating community services, FRC helps parents become responsible caregivers and provides access to treatment, job opportunities, and educational resources.
Key Benefits
· Faster family reunification
· Improved parenting skills
· Better access to treatment
· Opportunities for employment and education
Study Highlights
The University of Louisville Center for Family and Community Well-Being analyzed the program’s cost-effectiveness, factoring in operational expenses and savings from improved outcomes. Here’s how the numbers break down:
· Prenatal Care Savings: Between $16,652 and $84,138 per child, depending on medical needs. One infant was born healthy during the program.
· Medicaid Savings: $14,124, thanks to reduced costs for children in out-of-home care.
· Out-of-Home Care Savings: $404,625, as children spent far fewer days in foster care—an average of 79 days compared to the usual 690.
· Emergency Room Savings: $38,010, with only 11.5% of participants visiting the ER versus the national average of 42.7%.
· Jail and Probation Savings: $271,260, as no graduates were incarcerated or on probation.
In total, the program saved $812,148, with a net cost-benefit of $519,925 after factoring the expense of the program, or about $58,000 per family.
Judge Harris praised the results, noting that “Family Recovery Court is not just changing lives—it’s saving taxpayer dollars while strengthening families.”
“This study spans almost five years and confirms what we have long believed: when we invest in families’ recovery, the return is both immediate and enduring,” said Jennifer Hancock, President and CEO of VOA Mid-States. “These early savings are just the start. We anticipate ongoing financial impact as well as a growing social return on investment as more families find stability, recovery, and reunification in the years ahead.”
Manchester Enterprise, November 25, 2025
