Ann Arbor lands $95K in state grant funding to continue Sobriety Court services

That includes a $70,000 Michigan Drug Court Program grant from the State Court Administrative Office and a $25,000 Office of Highway Safety Planning grant through the Michigan State Police.

The Sobriety Court was established in 2004 by retired Judge Julie Creal, whom Burke replaced earlier this year following an appointment by Gov. Rick Snyder.

Court Administrator Keith Zeisloft said the goals of the team-based selective Sobriety Court program are to proactively enhance community safety by assisting persons who need and would benefit from intensive court supervision with emphasis on rehabilitation.

The services used to accomplish those goals include outpatient and inpatient drug and alcohol treatment based on participant need, mental health services provided by Washtenaw Community Health Organization Project Outreach, drug and alcohol testing by Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton's Office of Community Corrections, as well as education services, life skills, employment assistance and other support services.

With the cooperation of district court judges throughout Washtenaw County, the Sobriety Court, located in Ann Arbor, accepts case referrals from all district courts in the county.

Sobriety Court team members include the Ann Arbor Police Department, the University of Michigan Department of Public Safety, local substance abuse treatment nonprofit organization Dawn Farm Inc., Model Cities Legal Services Inc., the city attorney's office and the county prosecutor's office.