Williamson County Court at Law 2 seeks grant funding for veterans and DWI/drug treatment specialty courts

Williamson County Commissioners Court approved two grant programs for specialty courts during a special meeting May 26.

The first grant is for federal funding for the County Court at Law 2 Veterans Treatment Court program through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. It would provide for financial and technical assistance to enhance the operations of evidenced-based drug courts, the agenda item read.

The second grant is for County Court at Law 2 DWI/Drug Court program through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The funds would support adult drug courts, co-occurring courts, DWI/drug courts and veterans treatment court programs, the agenda items read.

If awarded, the county is responsible for a 25% match, which can be paid through cash or in-kind services such as volunteer hours. Commissioner Valerie Covey said the county intends to match through in-kind services.

Both are three-year grants.

“The reason we are asking for these grants is so we can get more telehealth services. We can also do some more groups with the therapists or treatment provider we have on our team so our groups can increase for these veterans as well,” Williamson County Court at Law 2 Judge Laura Barker said.

Williamson County’s specialty courts look to provide assistance to people convicted of low-level misdemeanors with options for treatment and rehabilitation rather than incarceration.