Jackie Forthman Graduates Recovery Court After 2 Years Sober

Jackie Forthman walked into her graduation ceremony surrounded by family, friends, and the treatment team who helped her reclaim her life after battling addiction for years.

After 24 months of staying substance-free, Jackie completed Van Wert County's Recovery Court program called "A New Day the Right Way." The achievement isn't just personal. It represents what's possible when courts, healthcare providers, and communities work together to help people heal instead of just punish.

The program serves Van Wert County residents facing legal charges connected to substance use disorder. Instead of traditional sentencing, participants commit to an intensive 18 to 24 month journey that includes regular drug screenings, monthly court appearances with Judge Martin D. Burchfield, and outpatient treatment services.

Jackie attended weekly peer support meetings and worked with Westwood Behavioral Health Center throughout her recovery. The program required her to maintain employment and independent housing while building the skills needed for long-term sobriety.

Judge Burchfield celebrated Jackie's graduation with a certificate, gifts, lunch, and cake. These moments matter because they recognize the hard work recovery requires and show that communities believe in second chances.

The Ripple Effect

Recovery Court has been transforming lives in Van Wert County since 2014. What started as a collaboration between retired Judge Charles Steele and Chief Probation Officer Bruce Showalter earned certification from the Supreme Court of Ohio in 2017.

The program must meet rigorous standards and undergo recertification every three years. That accountability ensures participants receive evidence-based treatment that actually works.

Westwood Behavioral Health Center provides the clinical backbone with confidential mental health and addiction services, family therapy, psychiatric care, an on-site pharmacy, and case management. This comprehensive approach treats addiction as a health issue that responds to compassionate care and accountability.

Programs like this one are changing how communities address addiction nationwide. Instead of cycling people through jails where substance use often continues, Recovery Courts give participants the structure and support needed to rebuild their lives.

Jackie's graduation proves that recovery is possible when people get the right help at the right time.