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Judge: Veterans treatment court facing wait list as demand outpaces staffing
Summary
Bexar County’s Veterans Treatment Court told commissioners its caseload and referrals have grown sharply, producing a potential wait list and a request for staff and magistrate resources; program leaders said they may seek general-fund support if grants do not cover personnel.
Bexar County’s Veterans Treatment Court reported sharply rising demand on Nov. 18, with leaders saying the program for high-risk veterans now exceeds its staffing capacity and may soon start a wait list. Judge Tom Dominguez, who oversees the court, told the commissioners that the program has served more veterans in fiscal 2024–25 and is preparing to expand but lacks sufficient staff and judicial capacity to onboard new participants promptly.
“Veterans who are ready for treatment cannot start,” Judge Dominguez said, arguing that delayed access undermines early intervention and public safety. Project director Roberto Ruiz told the court that the program served 252 veterans in the most recent fiscal year, reported high retention and graduation measures, and is using evidence-based dockets split by clinical needs. Ruiz said the court had previously requested a magistrate judge (an associate position estimated at roughly $90,000 when last budgeted) and is awaiting clarity on a primary grant that may not continue funding personnel. He said staff may need to request general-fund support to avoid service reductions.
Commissioners asked for more detailed budgeting and targeted solutions; they also discussed grant timing and data disaggregation by precinct and service needs. The court did not vote on an immediate appropriation on Nov. 18 but directed staff to follow up with clarifying cost figures and options for prioritizing lower-income veterans.
