The 11th Judicial District Recovery Court has been awarded $989,298 through the FY24 Adult Treatment Court Program Enhancement Grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. This grant will provide financial and technical assistance to enhance the operation of the Recovery Court.
A Recovery Court Program, also known as a Treatment Court Program, aims to reduce crime and substance abuse, reunite families, and increase community safety by serving the intended beneficiaries. The program participants are taught to develop their personal, family, social, financial, and other recovery capital needed to sustain recovery and enhance their quality of life.
The grant will help fund important components of the program, such as payment for treatment services, case management, drug testing, a coordinator’s salary, and defense counsel wages. The pilot program launched in July 2024 and currently has eight participants. The enhancement grant will allow the program to expand to 25 participants before October 1, 2025, and expand to 60 participants over the next four years.
“The 11th Judicial District is the poorest district in the state of Kansas with health outcomes that are similarly at the bottom,” said 11th Judicial District Chief Judge Hon. Lori A. Bolton Fleming. “The federal government has designated us as a federal drug high trafficking corridor. We have high levels of illiteracy and unemployment in our poorest populations. The poor outcomes we see in our population are true for multiple generations within the same families. To break these cycles, our entire community must come together to address the root causes of addiction and crime: substance abuse, homelessness, domestic violence, lack of education, unemployment, and medical issues. We must have a well-rounded approach to these issues to be successful.”
Multi-agency Partnership
The 11th Judicial District Recovery Court is a collaborative effort among various agencies in Cherokee, Crawford, and Labette counties, including law enforcement, county attorneys, defense attorneys, community corrections, court services, and treatment providers encompassing mental health, medical, and dental services. This multi-agency partnership will create a support system for participants, fostering an environment of rehabilitation.
“There are many different factors that can result in a person being a defendant in our criminal justice system, including but not limited to addiction, homelessness, domestic violence, lack of education, unemployment, and medical issues,” said Judge Fleming. “These issues are beyond the reach of a traditional court system, and yet without addressing each of these issues, it will be difficult to find long-term success in addressing and preventing crime. We have the greatest impact on our community by utilizing partnerships between the courts and the various agencies in these areas.”
In September, the agencies involved in the Recovery Court participated in a workshop with All Rise, a leading national organization dedicated to promoting evidence-based justice system innovations. This training will help shape the program’s structure and ensure its effectiveness.
“The Court has decided that this population deserves more of our time, more of our attention, and more of our compassion,” said 11th Judicial District Judge Hon. Steven Stockard. “It is our hope that this model will be more successful in helping people find stability in their lives and hope for the future, which in turn will promote sobriety and curb recidivism. The data shows that, if we do this in accordance with best practices, we should see a reduction in drug-related crime and a reduction in the cost of criminal justice to the community.”
For more information, contact Bryan Dyson, Specialty Court Coordinator, at [email protected] or 620-269-6086.