My Health My Resources of Tarrant County received a $775,978 federal grant to expand services for families dealing with substance use and the child welfare system.

The money funds a new initiative called Families in Recovery Together, which will strengthen Tarrant County's Family Recovery Court. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn announced the award Oct. 30. Southlake Style reported on the local program Nov. 9.

The grant comes from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention FY25 Family Treatment Court Program.

What the money pays for

Led by MHMR, the initiative will add two evidence-based programs to the Family Recovery Court. SafeCare targets caregivers of young children. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy serves older children and teens.

Both aim to reduce neglect risk, increase stability and allow for greater emotional regulation, according to Cornyn's office. Southlake Style reported the programs also seek to strengthen family relationships and create more stable home environments.

The program projects a 66 percent family reunification rate among participants. It also anticipates a 60 percent reduction in caregiver strain for families receiving SafeCare and a 60 percent reduction in symptoms among older youth receiving EMDR, per Cornyn's office.

"Texas is no stranger to the positive impact these courts can have on those who need a second chance," Cornyn said in a statement. He added that he was glad the Dallas-Fort Worth area could continue supporting specialized courts to connect Texans with treatment.

Part of a larger regional award

Tarrant County's grant is one piece of $2,677,198 in DOJ funding split among three North Texas counties. Denton County received $993,920 to expand its Veterans Treatment Court, adding a second docket and increasing capacity from 50 to 70 participants. Dallas County received $907,300 to add peer recovery coaches and a coordinator to its adult diversion treatment courts.

MHMR of Tarrant County, a unit of local government with a Board of Trustees appointed by the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, will lead the initiative. Cornyn voted to fund the DOJ programs through the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, according to his office.