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Clay County proclaims May 2026 as Treatment Court Month, judges and partners praised programs' results
Summary
The Clay County Board of Commissioners proclaimed May 2026 as Treatment Court Month and heard judges and program partners describe treatment courts' role in reducing recidivism, supporting recovery and reconnecting families; a recognition event and alumni announcement is planned for next week.
The Clay County Board of Commissioners on a voice vote proclaimed May 2026 as Treatment Court Month, recognizing local drug, DWI and veterans treatment courts and the teams that support them.
A judge who works with county treatment courts told the board the programs “bring together judges, probation agents, law enforcement, treatment professionals, attorneys, social services, community services to work collaboratively towards long term recovery and public safety.” The judge said treatment courts reduce recidivism, improve recovery outcomes, reunite families and save taxpayer dollars by preventing repeated incarceration.
Judge Leeser thanked the county for its support and said the programs have received “tremendous outpouring of support” this year. Leeser told commissioners that, if the proclamation passes, the courts will hold an official recognition one week from the meeting and announce an official alumni group at that event, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. (location to be announced).
Commissioner Ebinger, a former police chief, described personal experience supporting treatment courts and said participants who complete the programs often work harder to rebuild their lives than would be achieved by incarceration alone. Commissioner Campbell and other board members praised judges, staff and community partners for the programs’ work.
The resolution the board adopted declares May 2026 as Treatment Court Month in Clay County and calls on the community to recognize “the courage that it takes to choose recovery.” The board voted to move the proclamation and carried the motion by voice vote.
The next procedural step the judges noted is the county’s formal recognition event next week and the formal launch of the treatment court alumni group.
