Hamilton County to seek $1 million Veterans Treatment Court grant to expand services

Hamilton County officials introduced Resolution 426-18 on an application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance Fiscal Year 2025 Veterans Treatment Court Program Grant for $1,000,000, a federal award that requires no local match.

"I feel like with this grant, I think it's going to be a great thing for Veteran Treatment Court…to continue the great work that we're doing to serve veterans in our county," said Matthew Naylor, program coordinator for the Hamilton County Mental Health Court and Veterans Treatment Court, who described plans to use the funding to add staff and improve participant tracking and data collection.

Naylor recognized Judge Starns and District Attorney Nicole Evans, both of whom the commission acknowledged as present in support of the program. Staff said last year’s opportunity had been withdrawn and that the program is again pursuing federal funding to strengthen services, reduce recidivism and lower jail costs for participants.

County staff noted the grant would allow the program to hire additional personnel and improve data systems that demonstrate outcomes. No vote was recorded on the resolution during the session; staff indicated the item will return for formal action at a subsequent meeting.

The commission also noted that the county previously allocated opioid abatement funds to hire a case manager for the Veterans Treatment Court and that the grant would build on that investment.