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Faulkner County Drug Court wins $2 million-plus in grants to expand services, judge tells Conway council
Summary
Judge Chuck Clausen briefed the Conway City Council on Faulkner County Drug Court’s recent grant awards and program expansions, including new funding for participant services, peer support, assessments and outreach over the next four years.
Judge Chuck Clausen told the Conway City Council on July 22 that Faulkner County Drug Court has been awarded two grants totaling more than $2,000,000 over four years and is using the funding to expand court supervision, assessments and community supports for people with substance use disorders. The presentation described program changes, new staffing and community partnerships intended to increase early identification and reduce recidivism.
The drug court is an intensive, court-supervised outpatient rehabilitation program for people the court describes as high risk and high needs. Clausen said the program consists of four treatment phases and an aftercare period; participants who complete the program may be eligible to have charges sealed. He said the court’s recidivism rate for participants is “very, very high” in terms of success relative to traditional probation or incarceration, while acknowledging it is not 100% effective.
Clausen told council the court has increased its assessments for possible participants by about 250 percent and is creating a “Tract 2” pathway to enroll lower-risk individuals in a structured program with service requirements. The grants will fund peer support, transportation, counseling, medical and dental care, housing assistance, education and job training, and Narcan distribution. Clausen credited peer-support staff, who meet recently arrested people in jail to identify needs, and named community partners including CAPCA, Bethlehem House, Koho and Harbor House. He also cited employers such as Goodwill for on-the-job training and certification opportunities for participants.
Clausen introduced Drug Court staff present at the meeting, including program director Julian Wiggins, Officer Cynthia Hunter, supervising agent Tobias, peer support staff Ty Jackson, Phil Burr and Haley Yates, counselors LaToya Arrington and Whitney Rowe, and prosecutors and defenders who work with the program. He said the grants cover both Drug Court participants and a separate pool of funds for justice-involved people with substance use disorder who may not qualify for Drug Court but need services. Clausen emphasized the grants allow the court to identify people earlier, provide transportation and follow-up contact, and support participants after they complete the program.
Council members responded with thanks and recognition for the staff. No formal action was requested of the council during the presentation.
Looking ahead, Clausen said the new funding will be used to expand outreach and sustain supports that the court and its partners have been building for years.
