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<br /> <br />PROCLAMATION <br /> <br /> <br />“Therapeutic Court Month” <br />May 2026 <br /> <br />WHEREAS: therapeutic courts improve both public health and public safety, using evidence-based practices to support <br />individuals and families affected by substance use and other behavioral health conditions in making long-term changes that <br />create safer, healthier communities and benefit us all; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS: the Washington State Department of Health and Health Services found that cost savings due to crime <br />reductions created a $4 return on every tax dollar invested in a Washington state drug court, and analyses of mental health <br />courts and family treatment courts in Washington state have shown savings from recidivism, lower rates of hospitalization, <br />fewer emergency department visits, less involvement in the child welfare system, and fewer children born drug affected; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS: therapeutic court participants and alumni create positive ripple effects in their communities, inspiring hope <br />and giving back as productive employees, present parents, good neighbors, dedicated mentors, and effective role models for <br />others in recovery; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS: therapeutic courts provide the treatment, case management, peer support, judicial oversite, comprehensive <br />resources, structure, expectations, and accountability that address root causes of criminal behavior, child abuse and neglect and <br />support long-term recovery; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS: therapeutic courts have an upstream impact, interrupting generational cycles of substance use and legal <br />involvement and helping prevent adverse childhood experiences associated with parental substance use, incarceration and <br />foster care; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS: Washington State is a national leader in creating meaningful pathways out of the legal system and towards <br />recovery and family reunification, having supported some of the earliest therapeutic courts in the country, with these <br />innovative courts now operating in nearly every county and at every court level; <br /> <br />NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaim May 2026, <br />as “Therapeutic Court Month” in Kittitas County and urge citizens to join them in this special observance. <br /> <br />ADOPTED this 21st day of April 2026. <br />THE KITTITAS COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> <br /> <br /> Cory Wright, Chairman <br /> <br /> <br /> Brett Wachsmith, Vice-Chairman <br /> <br /> <br />ATTEST: Laura Osiadacz, Commissioner <br /> <br /> <br />Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board