Less than one year since its creation, Williamson County is recognizing the success of its veterans involved in the Veterans Treatment Court.

The Texas State Legislature authorized treatment courts throughout the state in 2009, and Williamson County’s court became operational in March 2015. There are now 22 operational veterans courts in Texas, and 12 are funded through the office of the governor, including Williamson County’s, said Sabrina Bentley, the Specialty Court Coordinator for DWI Court and Veterans Treatment Court.

In the 2014-15 year, the county received $104,000 from the office of the governor through the criminal justice division.

The treatment courts assist veterans with criminal charges through the court system, Bentley said. Supervised treatment and incentives help them improve their lives and become integral, productive members of the community, Bentley said. The 12-month program provides alcohol, drug, mental health and other related treatment through rehabilitative services, and provides one-on-one mentoring by other veterans.

“We have other veterans throughout our community that have stepped up and volunteered to come in, and they spend time with our veterans each week, and I think that’s made a huge difference for our participants in the program,” Bentley said.

The first two veterans pled into the court March 3, 2015, and as of November 6, that number had risen to 13. Five more will be joining the program on Nov. 20, and 10 additional veterans are pending for consideration into the program.

“At this point in time, no one has reoffended or left our program,” Bentley said.

Charles Curran, who served in the United States Marines for 10 years, came before the Williamson County Commissioners Nov. 10 to share his experiences with the treatment court. He said he moved to Texas in 2013 to start an ammunition company, but soon after he found himself in trouble with the law. Since becoming involved in the veterans court, he has become involved with other veterans and helps with Heroes Night Out in Cedar Park.

“I was kind of angry about everything, and being in the court pointed my life in better direction,” he said. “This has definitely been a positive thing in my life.”

The next grant application is due Dec. 3, and the court is looking to receive between $5,000 and $500,000 for veterans’ services from the state. Only veteran treatment courts can receive funding from this grant, and $1.5 million in total grants will be awarded throughout Texas.