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Commissioners approve local appropriations, CJTA contract to expand court-related recovery supports
Summary
The board approved a district court appropriation for an expansion of Domestic Violence Moral Reconation Therapy and a Washington State Health Care Authority CJTA contract (K8542) to fund recovery supports; commissioners also approved funding to sustain an adult services officer position with behavioral health tax dollars.
The Walla Walla County Board on Monday approved several measures aimed at bolstering court‑connected treatment and recovery supports.
Commissioners unanimously approved a local appropriation to expand a Domestic Violence Moral Reconation Therapy (DVMRT) program administered by district court, citing the program's 26‑week curriculum and a history of reduced recidivism among graduates. Presenters said the appropriation would buy program materials and remove participation barriers such as transportation and course fees.
The board also approved Washington State Health Care Authority client services contract K8542, which brings Criminal Justice Treatment Account (CJTA) funding to the county (about $198,000 for the biennium, roughly $98,000 per year). County staff explained CJTA dollars may pay for tangible supports like phones or rental assistance and for assessments and services for people in jail or participating in adult recovery or family treatment court. Commissioners asked whether funds can be subcontracted to local providers and staff said subcontracting is possible if the local plan and expenses meet CJTA statutory eligibility and the CJTA panel approves.
Separately, the board approved a Juvenile Justice Center proposal to fund an adult services officer position using one‑tenth of 1% behavioral health tax dollars after state pass‑through funding expired. Staff told commissioners that failure to secure sustainable local funding by Dec. 31 would force the program to cease; commissioners discussed reallocating within existing carve-outs to accommodate the roughly $9,800 increase projected for 2026.
All three measures passed on unanimous 3–0 votes.
Next steps: The CJTA local plan has been forwarded to HCA for approval; county staff will work with the CJTA panel on allowable expenses and with the Board to implement the funded positions.
