Williamson County judges describe specialty courts’ results and resource needs during National Treatment Court Month

Williamson County judges and program leaders used the commissioners court meeting to mark National Treatment Court Month and to summarize how specialty courts are operating, the outcomes they report and outstanding funding needs.

The judges described voluntary court tracks that combine judicial oversight with treatment, supervision and case-management teams to reduce recidivism, promote recovery and support family reunification. Ryan Larson, judge of the 390th District Court, said independent researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington found children whose parents entered the county's Family Recovery Court were nearly twice as likely to reunify and that none of those children reentered foster care within six to 12 months when compared with a matched group in traditional CPS cases. "This work matters to the children who deserve safety and stability," Larson said.

Judges gave program-level details and participant counts, and identified funding sources and gaps. Laura Barker, judge of County Court at Law No. 2, said the court's DWI court has had 705 participants since inception with 560 successful graduates and 29 currently active; the veterans…