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Grant May Help Reunite Families Separated By Drug Addiction

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By THOMAS W.  KRAUSE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 19, 2007

TAMPA Parents whose children were removed from their custody because of methamphetamine addiction might be eligible for some help to reunite their families.

The federal government has provided a $500,000 grant, matched by an $88,000 grant from the Children's Board of Hillsborough County, to start a new program. The grants will help eight local social-service agencies work with the court system in an effort to combat drug abuse within families, said Judge Jack Espinosa Jr., who runs the local drug court. The grants will provide inpatient recovery treatment for 16 people and outpatient treatment for four people.

Two people will be hired to help guide as many as 40 families through the legal system as they receive treatment and try to get their children returned. Money will also go toward drug-testing programs, staff training and drug-prevention program for children who have been placed in the state's care.

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