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LAREDO, TX— Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $2,000,000 over the next 5 years in federal funding for Webb County’s Veterans Court Program awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The funds will go to support the continuation of Webb County’s Veteran Court Program which will be able to provide 200 veterans in areas of Webb County, Zapata, Jim Hogg, Starr, Duvall and Jim Wells County with individualized treatment for co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders

The SAMHSA Treatment Drug Court Grant Program

The awarded funds come from SAMHSA’s Treatment Drug Court Program. The program assists state and local drug courts in providing Substance Use Disorder treatment in order to break the cycle of criminal behavior and promote successful recovery. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a significant problem among our nation’s military veterans.  Through this grant, Webb County’s Veterans Court Program will provide crucial mental health support to our veterans.

Webb County’s Veterans Court Program

Congressman Cuellar announced this SAMHSA funding of $2,000,000 distributed over 5 years at $400,000, will go towards ensuring the continuation and expansion of services of Webb County’s 406^th Veteran Court Program. The program will offer adult veterans individualized treatment for co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders. In addition to providing treatment to adult veterans, the program will offer Support and Family Education (SAFE) that will provide family members information on mental illness and PTSD. Through these federal funds, the Veterans Court Program will continue to offer comprehensive counseling services, improving the lives of our veterans.  The Veterans Court Program will be able to serve 200 veterans in areas of Webb County, Zapata, Jim Hogg, Starr, Duvall and Jim Wells County.  As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Congressman Cuellar helped secure this funding through the fiscal year 2019 appropriations bill.  

“Webb County 406^th District Veterans Court continues its tremendous service to our community and our veterans by providing services and treatment to those who need it most,” Congressman Cuellar said. “I believe in its mission of making sure that every person is presented with the opportunity to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Today’s funding provides for services to help those currently battling addiction, mental illnesses or co-occurring disorders, including funding for health training and education.

He continued “It is an honor to congratulate all the recent graduates of Webb County’s Veteran court program. Recovery is a long and hard road, but the County of Webb, and I are amazed at your strength and dedication to this program. I thank Judge Hale and Judge Palomo for their dedication and for providing our veterans with a vital support system.”

406th District Court Judge, the Honorable Oscar Hale said “This new grant award will ensure that through the year 2024 any qualifying ‘wounded’ veteran from Webb County and from the surrounding area is provided the opportunity to be ‘treated’ for combat related trauma by receiving the best treatment court services available in South Texas. Our veterans served to protect US now we must serve to protect them.”

Judge Oscar Hale continued, “Today also marks our 14th Veterans Court graduation and we will celebrate and recognize four additional graduate candidates for a total of 72 graduates since 2014."

“We are proud that our community has a Veteran’s Treatment Program,” said Judge Beckie Palomo, 341st State District Judge. “It is a way our criminal justice system helps our nation’s veterans to overcome issues of mental health and substance abuse. In addition to reducing crime and improving public safety, our Veterans Treatment Program is a proactive approach to assist combat veterans that have served our country to get their lives back on track.”

Congressman Cuellar (TX-28) presents Webb County District Veterans Court with HHS SAMHSA Grant on Tuesday in Laredo.

For more information on SAHMSA or other federal grants, please contact my Grants Coordinator, Alexis Garcia at alexis.garcia@mail.house.gov.

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