Family Preservation Court’s Heartwarming Success: Couple marries in joyful ceremony, reunites with their two children

Edward and Tessa Billiot, participants in the Family Preservation Court Program in Terrebonne Parish, celebrated their hardwork and commitment to sobriety in a special way– a wedding!

Family Preservation Court is an adjunct of the Department of Children and Family Services, and focuses on providing treatment services that assist families in becoming stable and healthy. This includes substance abuse treatment, drug testing, parenting skills classes, trauma treatment, mental health treatment referrals, group and individual counseling, domestic violence prevention, and anger management sessions, as well as assistance with GED Classes and job training.

“Family Preservation Court is designed to keep families together when a child is at risk of being removed from the parents, or has already been removed,” explained Valerie Cooper, Licensed Counselor with the Family Preservation Court. “It is a voluntary, rigorous program that the parents sign up for so they can work on regaining custody of their child and forging a better life. It is very rare to see a wedding in this program, and we couldn’t be happier for Edward and Tessa.”

Edward and Tessa Billiot entered the Family Preservation Court Program several months ago working a substance use disorder plan, after experiencing difficulties in their 13-year-long relationship and seeking help to regain custody of their two children. “As we progressed in the program, we noticed their relationship and communication skills begin to develop,” explained Cooper. “During one of the meetings, they explained to Judge Arceaneaux that they were planning to get married, which we were so excited to hear– and they asked him to marry them. Even though Judge Arceaneaux does not typically officiate weddings, he wanted to do it for these two.”

Edward and Tessa were married on the steps of the Courthouse in Downtown Houma on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, in front of their parents, their children, and all the other participants in the Family Preservation Court Program.

“In the beginning I was really on the fence about Family Preservation, but as it kept going, things started getting better and better,” said Tessa. “I got a job, Edward got a better job– we’ve been sober, happier, and have gotten custody back of our two kids. To be able to live a happy, healthy, sober life with Edward and our children has been such a great feeling.”

Congratulations to Edward and Tessa Billiot for this happy and momentous occasion!