Veterans advocate asks Limestone County for $312,000 to sustain treatment court

Helen Thompson, speaking on behalf of the veterans community, asked the Limestone County Commission on Jan. 5 to provide $312,000 to keep the county’s Veterans Treatment Court operating.

"We are asking today for the county's support for $312,000. That will cover our full time clinical program director, who is Felicia Rose," Thompson said. She told commissioners the program had graduated six participants and that the grant funding used last year has "dried up." Thompson also said the director, Felicia Rose, "has been working since the June 1 without any compensation at all, supporting our program." Thompson provided a written proposal to county staff and made herself available for questions.

The request, as presented, would cover the program director’s salary and program administration, Thompson said, and she emphasized the court’s role in connecting veterans with housing, treatment and other services. "She helps them find housing. She takes them over to their treatment programs, if that's what's needed," Thompson said.

Commissioners did not record a vote or take action on the request during the work session. The proposal was left with county staff for consideration; the transcript records Thompson offering to attend the next meeting if additional information is needed.

What happens next: Commissioners noted Thompson’s submission and thanked her; no formal decision or appropriation was recorded in the transcript. Any action on the funding request will appear in a subsequent meeting or a formal agenda item if the commission places it for a vote.