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Veterans Treatment Court director asks Johnston County for up to $150,000 to sustain program amid shrinking federal grants
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Summary
Zane Campbell, director of Johnston County's Veterans Treatment Court, told the board the program has low recidivism among graduates but faces funding shortfalls as federal Bureau of Justice grants become more competitive; he requested up to $150,000 as a local safety net while he pursues grants and partner contributions.
Zane Campbell, director of the Veterans Treatment Court, asked the Johnston County Board of Commissioners on April 20 to consider contributing up to $150,000 to sustain the program if federal grant funding falls short.
Campbell described the court — which the county began hosting in 2013 and for which he has been director for about five years — as a treatment-oriented, 18–24 month supervisory program for justice-involved veterans that uses frequent check-ins, volunteer mentors who are veterans, and direct judicial oversight. He said the program has graduated about 140 participants and reported a recidivism rate of under 10 percent among those graduates, which he said translates into significant taxpayer savings.
Campbell told commissioners that the Veterans Bureau of Justice Assistance grants that historically funded much of the program are now highly competitive; a current federal grant application he described would award $1,000,000 over four years but will be granted to only a small number of applicants nationwide. He said Washington funding disruptions and frozen grants have increased local risk and that the court has coverage only through Sept. 30 of this year unless new funding or county support is secured.
Campbell asked that the board consider an FY27 budget contribution (he suggested a contingency structure, including holding funds until they are needed) to keep staff positions intact and the court operating if federal grants are not awarded. He said he has already discussed the request with Harnett and Lee counties and that Harnett has indicated conditional support.
Commissioners and several local justice partners present — including Judge Frank Wood and District Attorney Jason Waller — praised the program's outcomes and voiced support for finding sustainable funding. The board took the request under advisement to consider during the manager’s budget process.
Quote: "The most important thing I'm here for is to ask for a contribution of up to a $150,000 to help support our court, to ensure that we are able to keep these doors open no matter if we get a federal grant or not," Campbell said.
Closing: No formal appropriation was adopted April 20; Campbell said he would welcome commissioners attending a graduation and that county staff will consider the request as part of the upcoming budget cycle.
