Johnson County drug court receives nearly $200,000 federal grant

IOWA CITY - The Johnson County Adult Drug Treatment Court has received a two-year grant for $192,528, which will provide employment services to offenders and help them move forward after completing their court sentence.

The federal grant through the U.S. Department of Justice is aimed at enhancing the drug court program, which is a partnership among the Johnson County Attorney's Office, the 6th Judicial District Department of Corrections and Goodwill of the Heartland.

Goodwill will work with offenders to find and keep jobs by helping with applications and resumes, teaching interview skills and providing job coaching. Goodwill also will build relationships with employers to identify those that are willing to hire people with criminal records.

'A key factor in the long-term success of drug court participants is finding and maintaining employment,” Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness said. 'This funding will provide the one-on-one support that our program participants need to make that happen.”

Linn County Adult Drug Court had a similar federal grant, but it ran out earlier this year.