Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Criminal Justice Treatment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Vernon County recovery court coordinator outlines program outcomes and funding
Summary
Emma Bader told the county board the recovery court (hybrid treatment court) accepts high‑risk, high‑needs participants, has capacity for 20–25 people and currently 10 active participants. Funding includes a nearly $500,000 DOJ grant and a state annual grant (~$22,000) that both require a 25% county match.
"My name is Emma Bader. I'm the Vernon County recovery court coordinator," Emma Bader said when she opened her presentation to the board, then described the program's evolution from a 2011 sobriety‑court model to a merged 'hybrid' recovery court in 2023 that serves people with alcohol and other substance‑related offenses.
Bader said the program uses a five‑phase structure with a minimum one‑year participation period and a multi‑disciplinary team (judge, prosecutor, defense, Department of Corrections agent, law enforcement, treatment provider and coordinator). She described current program capacity as 20–25 participants, with a present census of 10 active participants, two terminations and two administrative discharges since the merger. Bader cited historical outcomes for predecessor programs and argued that recovery courts reduce recidivism and save costs compared with incarceration.
On funding, Bader said the program relies heavily on grant support: "we currently are in almost the last year of the 4 year grant, for a $500,000," and a separate Wisconsin Department of Justice grant provides roughly $22,000 annually; both grants require a 25% county match. Board members pressed Bader on whether the program's operational and treatment costs were covered; she said grants, insurance and partner agreements (including with the sheriff's office for testing and GPS monitoring fees) offset many expenses, but the county match and continued grant writing will be necessary for sustainability.
Bader also described success stories from recent graduates and invited board members to visit the program office to learn more.
