The Third Judicial District Recovery Court has been awarded a federal grant from the United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) amounting to just under $2 million. This funding will be allocated over five years to benefit all four counties within the district.
“This grant is a game changer for our program,” stated Third Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Beth Boniface. “We will be more effective in assisting our participants without further financial burden to the counties that we serve.”
The funds will enable the Felony Recovery Court to enhance case management, behavioral health, and individual counseling services across Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, and Hawkins counties.
“This grant actually allows us to get two more case managers,” said Judge Boniface. “We have two now, so we would have four. It allows us to get a data entry person. There is so much data.”
Hamblen County previously hosted a misdemeanor court when then-Mayor Bill Brittain requested Judge Boniface initiate a felony-level court in December 2020. Initially funded through state grants from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse along with support from the Hamblen County Government, this new federal grant marks a significant development.
“Hamblen County has been a tremendous volunteer on this,” said Judge Boniface. “They have matched whatever the state has given and that’s unusual. This will allow us to give back a little bit for the accounting that we need from the county.”
“Hamblen County is grateful to have been awarded the grant from SAMSHA,” expressed Hamblen County Mayor Chris Cutshaw. “The positive impact this grant will have on our community is immeasurable. The opportunity the grant provides will help to restore balance and stability in lives and families in and around our community. A great and wonderful victory.”
Currently operating three sober living homes in Hamblen County—two for women and one for men—the recovery court plans no new housing with this particular funding but aims to strengthen its 501(c)(3) organization established by Judge Boniface for program support.
“We have 55 participants right now and with this grant we are going to be able to increase that to 200, so it will be a big boon to the community.”
Judge Boniface looks forward to expanding their program's reach, offering assistance for individuals battling substance use disorders towards becoming healthy contributors within their communities.
“It’s really amazing to watch people turn their lives around and get their kids back, get their GED, get a driver’s license, get a job, go to TCAT (Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology), get a skill,” she shared. “That’s our vision: just keep getting bigger and better and help more people.”