Phase I of the Family-Focused Juvenile Drug Court is the most difficult.  This phase is where most of the client's (and family's) resistance takes place.  It is also the most critical phase in that this begins what will be a long, difficult, but ultimately fulfilling family experience.
          The most important goal for the counselor in this phase is to determine each individual family's needs.  Not all juveniles who enter treatment are addicted.  There are an infinite number of other underlying factors which contributed to their negative behavior. Determining, on an individualized basis, what issues each family must work on is the core of phase I. A comprehensive family assessment is completed on each family member and on the family unit.
          Ensuring that the families know what is expected of them is equally important at  this time. Short-term goals are developed collaboratively by the counselor and all family members. These goals are generally specific and designed to be attainable during Phase II.