City of Liberal 2021 Drug Court Grant Project.

On behalf of the City of Liberal Municipal Drug Court, hereafter referred to as “Drug Court”, we are requesting funds to assist us with expansion and full implementation of our existing drug court.  Drug Court is the only drug court operating in rural, Southwest Kansas.  Drug Court is a post-adjudication, adult drug court, serving defendants within the City of Liberal. Participants are eligible to enter the program at either sentencing or at hearings on motions to revoke probation. The Drug Court is requesting $500,000, Category 3, adult drug court funds over a four (4) year period to provide services to up to 30 participants at a time.  Drug Court has just begun and has two participants, with more applications pending. Drug court does not receive any other state or federal funds and no grants have been received from the Office of Justice Programs.  A twenty-five percent (25%) match will be made from the local alcohol and drug tax each year. 

The target population is misdemeanor offenders that have drug use as an underlying contributor to their charges.  The goal is to keep these persons from ever entering into the prison system. This will benefit not only the participants themselves, but the local community, law enforcement, our jail and the prison system.

The drug court program is a five (5) phase program that follows NADCP recommendations and Adult Drug Court Best Practice Standards.  The following standards are addressed in the proposal abstract:  Standard II, Equity and Inclusion (Page 6);  Standard V, Substance Abuse Treatment (Page 6); Standard VI; Complimentary Treatment and Social Services (Page 6) and Standard VIII; Multidisciplinary Team (Page 7).  Participants will complete the program between 14 and 24 months, with an estimated average of 18 months. 

Validated risk assessments will be completed to determine risk, need and eligibility.  Mental health evaluations will be completed, if needed.  Medication assisted treatment (“MAT”) services are not available yet, but one of our Drug Court partners is exploring this option.  Our substance abuse and mental health providers will both attend staffings to assist in communication with the Drug Court team.  The court will also assist participants with transitional housing, finding employment and will provide legal representation for all participants throughout the program.  Data collection begins upon application and will continue to be obtained throughout the program and following graduation.