United Connections Counseling representatives said the nonprofit secured a state grant of $3,100,000 to fund a new substance use disorder (SUD) program covering South Texas, including Jim Wells County. Assistant Director Nicole Bottas told the court the five-year grant will support clinic-based and outreach services in Jim Wells and nearby communities, "including Jim Wells County," and that the program will offer individual and group therapy, case management and coordination with juvenile and adult probation.

The provider asked the court to approve a memorandum of understanding to allow referrals from county judges, probation departments and self-referrals. "We were awarded a grant ... in the amount of $3,100,000, and that is to be utilized within South Texas, including Jim Wells County," Bottas said. County staff and commissioners pressed for two separate MOUs for adult and juvenile probation to allow individualized referral and placement conditions; the judge and commissioners directed United Connections to meet with adult-probation and juvenile-probation directors and the judges who issue orders before returning the agreement for final approval.

United Connections said referrals could come from juvenile probation, adult probation, the court, or directly from residents seeking help, and emphasized participation would not require a legal record. The presenters said the program would be provided at no cost to the county per case, noting the grant covers provider costs. "At this time, our programs usually go anywhere from three to six months depending on a person's individual progression," the provider added, describing a typical treatment timeline and a subsequent maintenance phase.

Commissioners asked for written, individualized MOUs for adult probation and juvenile probation, and for the provider to include Judge Solis and Judge Garcia in stakeholder discussions because they issue orders that would generate referrals. The court did not approve the MOU at this meeting; United Connections agreed to revisit the court after meetings with probation directors and judges and once staff have drafted separate agreements for adult and juvenile services.

Next steps: United Connections will meet with county probation leaders and judges, then return to commissioners with individualized MOU drafts and any additional clarifications about referral flows and fiscal tracking.