On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, six Chatham County parents graduated from Chatham County Anchor Court (CC-AC), the county’s Family Treatment Court program, joining dozens of graduates who have completed the recovery and reunification program since its launch in 2008.

Chatham County Anchor Court is a special program within Juvenile Court designed to help parents whose children have been removed because of substance abuse disorder. It is one of seven Chatham County Accountability Courts located at Juvenile Court.

“This program works with them, guides them, monitors them closely to make sure they become healthy, and the children can be returned to them safely,” said Thomas Cole, Presiding Judge, Chatham County Juvenile Court.

The program typically takes 18 months to complete, during which time participants are under the close supervision of the court, receiving individualized plans to address substance abuse, trauma, parenting skills, and mental health issues. Children also receive support to break the intergenerational cycle of dependency.

During the graduation ceremony, each participant shared their personal journey through substance use recovery, reflecting on the challenges they overcame and the progress they made through the program. Friends and family, including their children, were there to support the graduates and congratulate them following the ceremony.

One of the things I love about Anchor Court is that you’re able to see an actual change in a parent, a change in a family,” Judge Cole said. “It’s like a butterfly being born; they come from a really tough situation, and then they go through this metamorphosis and blossom and become something different and beautiful that’s able to take care of their children. It’s a really wonderful thing to watch and experience.”

Since its inception in 2008, the CC-AC has served more than 140 parents who suffer from long-term, chronic, and severe substance use disorder and provided services for nearly 400 children affected by their parent’s addiction.

Any Chatham County resident who has had their children removed due to substance abuse is eligible for Anchor Court. Judge Cole urges anyone thinking of taking the next step to enroll in the program.

“The people in this program will work with them in a non-judgmental way, and the level of support, care and services available will change their lives and make all the difference for them and their children,” he said. “It will change the future for their children and their families. All you have to do is ask.”

If you’re interested in enrolling or learning more about Anchor Court, go to https://courts.chathamcountyga.gov/Juvenile/AnchorCourt or call Latrell Gulotta at 912-429-0520 or Antoinette Barnes at 912-813-8512.