AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced today that Denton and Dallas Counties and My Health My Resources of Tarrant County have received a total of $2,677,198 for court programs to support veterans, individuals, and families struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues. These resources come from U.S. Department of Justice programs that Sen. Cornyn voted to fund as part of last year’s Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act. 

“Texas is no stranger to the positive impact these courts can have on those who need a second chance,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m glad the Dallas-Fort Worth area will be able to continue supporting these specialized courts to help more Texans access the life-changing treatment they deserve.”

Background:

The Denton County Veterans Treatment Court Enhancement Project will expand veterans’ access to and improve this proven program that benefits veterans with service-related substance use disorders and mental health issues. The project will add a second court docket and allow the program to serve 70 participants instead of 50 individuals while adding access to treatments like Eye Movement Desensitization and substance use treatment. It aims to reduce recidivism and increase the rate of enrollment, retention, and completion. This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance FY25 Veterans Treatment Court Program, which Sen. Cornyn voted to fund as part of last year’s Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act.

The Enhancing Dallas County Adult Diversion Treatment Courts Project will improve outcomes for adults struggling with substance use disorders by integrating peer recovery support and centralizing pretrial coordination. It will add full-time Peer Recovery Coaches to treatment court teams and allow for a Pretrial Diversion Program Coordinator tasked with supervising the screening, referral, and assessment of individuals. Those who participate will get help with recovery engagement, treatment requirements, and barriers to stable housing and jobs. The program is anticipated to increase retention, completion rates, and public safety, along with reducing recidivism. This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance FY25 Adult Treatment Court Program, which Sen. Cornyn voted to fund as part of last year’s Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act.

Families in Recovery Together, which will be put into place through a multidisciplinary partnership spearheaded by My Health My Resources of Tarrant County, will use proven strategies to strengthen the Tarrant County Family Recovery Court, expand services for vulnerable children through SafeCare at young ages and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EDMR) treatment for older minors. This will help reduce neglect risk, increase stability, reduce symptoms, and allow for greater emotional regulation. Expected outcomes include a 66% rate of reunification, 60% less strain on caregivers for children participating in SafeCare, and 60% less symptoms for older youth undergoing EMDR.  This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention FY25 Family Treatment Court Program, which Sen. Cornyn voted to fund as part of last year’s Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act.

Senator Cornyn has been a longtime supporter of specialized treatment courts and expanded access to these programs through his Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. He was also a cosponsor of the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act, which authorized the Veteran Treatment Court Program and became law in 2019.