McHenry County Adult Drug Court receives national recognition as mentor court

The McHenry County Adult Drug Court was recognized as one of 10 national mentor treatment courts by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and the U.S. Department of Justice.

National mentor courts are “exemplary treatment courts” selected to serve a three-year term as a model to assist new or growing courts, according to a news release from the county. These top-tier programs follow evidence-based best practices and play a significant role in national training, technical assistance and research efforts.

As a part of the mentor court network for 2022-24, the McHenry County Adult Drug Court will help develop, identify and test the national best practices and provide technical assistance to jurisdictions interested in implementing an adult drug treatment court, including hosting site visits by team members from other jurisdictions around the country.

There are about 4,000 treatment courts nationwide, which are considered the cornerstone of justice reform, according to the release. The McHenry County Adult Drug Court began December 1, 2011, and has had 113 graduates.

The program will receive an award marking the distinction at 11:30 a.m. April 28 in courtroom 203.