The 19th District Court has received two federal grants to enhance its treatment court programs.

The Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs has awarded a $750,000 enhancement grant for the Dearborn Veterans Treatment Court (VTC), and a $467,000 enhancement grant for the Hybrid DWI/Drug Treatment Court (HDDTC).

Both awards will be used to expand capacity and enhance services offered to participants for the respective programs. Dearborn’s 19th District Court is the only court in Michigan to have received awards from both programs in this fiscal year.

The VTC, established in January, 2018, is a non-traditional court that focuses on veteran-status, nonviolent offenders whose underlying medical and social problems have contributed to recurring contacts with the criminal justice system. The VTC promotes sobriety, recovery, and stability and works diligently with the Department of Veterans Affairs, volunteer mentors, and organizations that support veterans and their families.

The HDDTC has been operating since May, 2019. It provides a holistic approach to treatment and recovery through family support services, and employment, training and education assistance, for non-violent offenders whose criminal offense is related to an underlying alcohol and/or drug abuse problem.

Both programs provide critical treatment services in a geographic area afflicted with some of the highest rates of substance use disorder in the state, combined with high rates of unmet needs for related treatment.

The grant funding will allow the Court to double the capacity of both programs and increase their positive impact. The funds will support a full-time coordinator for the programs; services such as drug testing and transportation for program participants; and a data collection and analysis project designed to assess program success in outreach and outcomes in traditionally underserved populations.

Judge Gene Hunt, who presides over both programs, stated, “We are proud and excited that the Office of Justice Programs recognizes and supports the important work we’re doing with our treatment court programs.”

Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud stated, “Dearborn welcomes these grants from the Department of Justice to expand the Court’s critical programs. These non-traditional programs confront issues that underlie recurring contacts with the criminal justice system by providing vital services to those in need of recovery, treatment, and support.”