News
Lycoming County Courts Hold Dual Treatment Court Graduations
July 08, 2025
Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Debra Todd today joined Lycoming County President Judge Nancy Butts and Judge Ryan Gardner at the Lycoming County Courthouse to celebrate the graduations of participants from the county’s Mental Health Treatment Court and Veterans Treatment Court.
“It takes innovation, teamwork and strong judicial leadership to achieve success when addressing some of the most difficult issues we face in our communities, and we are incredibly proud of the efforts here in Lycoming County,” Chief Justice Todd said.
Addressing the graduates, she said “I cannot begin to know everything that you, your families, and your loved ones have been through. But I do know you have encountered tremendous difficulties; and you have overcome difficult challenges. The fact that you have successfully completed this program and have made it to this day speaks volumes.”
“These graduations represent more than a conclusion – they are a powerful testament to personal resilience, community support and the strength of our justice system when it works with compassion and accountability,” said President Judge Butts. “Our Veterans and Mental Health Treatment Courts offer individuals a path to healing, stability and restored dignity. We are proud to celebrate the hard-earned achievements of these graduates and to reaffirm our commitment to justice that recognizes both responsibility and recovery.”
Lycoming County’s Mental Health Treatment Court was established in 2008 and its Veterans Treatment Court in 2019. Since the inception of these programs, 59 participants have graduated from Mental Health Treatment Court and 16 participants have graduated from Veterans Treatment Court.
In Veterans Treatment Court, participants are intensely supervised throughout the course of the program, while receiving guidance and support from veteran mentors, as well as any necessary treatment from the VA or local treatment providers.
Meanwhile, Mental Health Courts link key justice system officials with leaders in the mental health system to divert offenders with mental illness into a judicially supervised program. These courts provide a team of court staff and mental health professionals that work together to screen and assess defendants, develop treatment plans and supervise offenders.
There are currently more than 137 treatment court programs in Pennsylvania – including Veterans Courts, Mental Health Courts, Adult Drug Courts, Family Drug Courts, DUI Courts, Re-Entry Drug Court, Juvenile Drug Courts and Adult Drug/DUI Hybrid Courts. The purpose of these treatment courts is to reduce recidivism and help individuals return to their jobs and families and become productive citizens.
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Media contact: Casey Scheffler, 610-425-1712