On Tuesday, April 23, Congressman Henry Cuellar announced $2,000,000 over the next 5 years in federal funding for Webb County’s 406th District 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 services the Webb County Veteran Court Program offers, including mental health and substance abuse services, but will support Starr county veterans. Other areas the program will service include Webb County, Jim Hogg, Starr, Duvall and Jim Wells County.
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 (SUD) 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 in and across south Texas. 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 the Veterans Court Program. The program will offer adult veterans in Starr County 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 406th 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. This 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 “Recovery is a long and hard road, but programs like these offer our veterans a chance. I thank Judge Hale and Judge Palomo for their dedication and for providing our veterans with a vital support system.” For more information on SAHMSA or other federal grants, please contact my Grants Coordinator, Alexis Garcia at alexis.garcia@mail.house.gov.
