The Texas Bar Foundation awarded The Council on Recovery $15,000 to support a new training initiative for Harris County prosecutors.
In partnership with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, The Council on Recovery will develop and deliver a comprehensive training program on substance use, mental health, and diversion strategies, specifically tailored for prosecutors, to better identify cases for treatment-based alternatives and reduce incarceration.
Prosecutors play a pivotal role in determining whether individuals with substance use disorders are directed toward rehabilitation and treatment or face criminal prosecution. Yet many enter the profession with limited exposure to the nature of addiction, the influence of stigma on legal outcomes, or the potential for diversion to benefit both individuals and the broader community. Through targeted education, this initiative addresses that gap by linking behavioral health knowledge to prosecutorial responsibilities.
“By empowering prosecutors with knowledge, we raise awareness that helps them balance accountability while opening a path to recovery, ultimately leading to safer communities,” shares Bridget McCauley, M.A., LPC-S, Chief Clinical Officer. “Through the generosity of the Texas Bar Association, collaborations like the partnership between The Council on Recovery and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office create meaningful opportunities for recovery-oriented justice across our community.”
The training aims to increase awareness of substance use disorder as a chronic disease, reduce the impact of stigma and bias in legal decision-making, promote more equitable use of diversion pathways – such as DUI education programs, mental health courts, and other specialty dockets – and ultimately lower recidivism through treatment-focused alternatives.
“We are deeply grateful for the generous support of the Texas Bar Foundation for allowing us to break the cycle of addiction and contribute to a more equitable and efficient justice system in Harris County”, says Judy Chavez, MBA, President and CEO.
Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $30 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation’s largest charitably-funded bar foundation.