Project Grant H79TI088907

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Gaston County $395,573 through the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Projects of Regional and National Significance program on September 30, 2026, to expand and operationalize two established treatment courts serving individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions.

Gaston County will operate the Gaston Treatment Court System, comprising the Adult Treatment Court and Veterans Treatment Court in the same judicial district, to serve 270 individuals over the five-year period (an average of 54 annually), with approximately 25 percent of Adult Treatment Court clients and 30 percent of Veterans Treatment Court clients characterized as felony-involved or high risk. The project focuses on two distinct populations: those with mental health and substance use disorders without military experience, and those with military experience requiring additional trauma-informed support. The county will implement evidence-based practices including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy for both substance use and trauma, medication-assisted treatment, intensive outpatient programming, wellness recovery and action planning, and 12-step support. Direct service delivery includes expanded case management and peer support specialist staffing and a new mentor coordinator position. The grant also funds comprehensive assessments addressing mental health conditions and trauma history, mentoring support, and community stigma reduction activities to improve treatment access and reduce recidivism. Performance of the award occurs in Gastonia, North Carolina, with a completion date of September 29, 2031.