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Winona County proclaims May Treatment Court month; graduate and partner urge continued support
Summary
The board approved a resolution declaring May as National Treatment Court Month, heard program statistics and testimony from a graduate and his partner, and learned the program’s 2025 funding reached $125,000, reducing near‑term county funding need.
Winona County commissioners on Tuesday approved a resolution recognizing May as National Treatment Court Month and heard a presentation on the county’s post‑adjudicatory treatment court program, including testimony from a program graduate and his partner.
Karen Hyder, the county’s treatment court coordinator, summarized program structure, participant outcomes and recent innovations, and told commissioners Winona County’s program has operated since February 2012 and uses an 11‑member multidisciplinary team. Hyder said the program’s 2024 graduation rate was 63 percent, above the national average she cited, and that 10 of 12 graduates in 2024 remained free of new offenses.
“Twice a month on Thursdays at 1:00 is when we have treatment court over at the courthouse,” Hyder said, noting the program’s reliance on community partners and its adherence to evidence‑based practices.
Treatment court graduate Kevin Solti told the board the program “changed my life” and said he has been sober more than three years. His partner, Sasha, described family stability and urged the county to continue supporting the court because it reduces recidivism and preserves family connections. “Without treatment court, I don't think or believe that we would be standing in front of you today,” Sasha said.
Hyder also presented financial updates: base Minnesota funding for the court rose to $105,000 for fiscal year 2025, the program received an additional $10,000 from district reallocation and $10,000 from a state cannabis‑prevention grant, bringing the program to $125,000 for fiscal year 2025. Hyder said if spending remains disciplined in 2025, the county will minimally need to supplement the program this fiscal year, but the program will return to base funding of $105,000 in fiscal year 2026.
Commissioners approved the resolution proclaiming May 2025 Treatment Court Month after a motion and second; Hyder and the graduate were thanked for their presentation.
