Judge Kay Kuns, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, will host a commencement ceremony to honor individuals who have successfully completed the Adult Treatment Court programs including Substance Abuse Treatment Court, Prop 36 Court, Mental Health Treatment Court, Dual Diagnosis Treatment Court, and the newly implemented Solutions Track Court Calendar. 

The graduation begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Santa Maria Veterans Memorial Building, 313 W. Tunnel.

The graduation marks the 73rd Commencement of the Santa Maria Substance Abuse Treatment Court program and 52nd Commencement of the Santa Maria Prop 36 Court program. A total of 22 adults will be graduating. Special guests have been invited to speak and will personally congratulate each of the graduates.

Certificates of completion and raffle prizes will be presented, and the graduates will have an opportunity to speak about their personal experience in their court program.

The Solutions Track Court Calendar is the newest addition to the Adult Collaborative Court programs. The program assists justice-involved homeless individuals with obtaining housing. Ten of the 22 graduates completed the Solutions Track and all 10 have successfully obtained housing.

Participation in the Adult Collaborative Courts includes 6-12 months of programming including intensive treatment, probation supervision, and court reviews. Sobriety, recovery and stability are promoted and successful completion may result in dismissal of charges and/or early termination of probation.

The programs are a multi-departmental collaboration between the Superior Court, Probation Department, the offices of the Public Defender and the District Attorney, Department of Behavioral Wellness, UCSB, the Sheriff’s Office and community-based organizations.

Graduates have successfully completed their treatment program and have maintained sobriety.

To learn more about the Collaborative Courts including resources, legislation and statistics, visit www.nadcp.org.