L-R: Dr. Natalie Tucker, court program coordinator; Judge Crystal Kocher, Superior Court and LeeAnn Wright, Community Foundation director

Pulaski County Superior Court announced the winning grant from the Community Foundation for a community navigator just in time for the new year. Pulaski County Superior Court Judge Crystal Kocher praised the new role as exciting and is grateful for the Community Foundation’s grant opportunities.

“The purpose of a community navigator is to provide to any person in our community in need of mental health services or substance use treatment, an easily accessible, knowledgeable point of contact for connecting to treatment,” the judge explained. “This individual can assist in connecting members of the community, or anyone involved in our criminal justice system, to the necessary treatment providers to assist them towards sobriety or stabilization. With the generous grant provided by the Community Foundation, this can be provided to our community at no cost to any individual in need of help and further advances our goal of a comprehensive criminal justice system that will provide the treatment necessary to keep our community substance free and safe.”

The navigator position will serve those in the community and the court system. The individual in this role will be responsible for assisting in connecting community members to much needed mental health or substance use resources and treatment.

The Pulaski County Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction, hearing both criminal and civil cases. The court processes approximately 3,000 cases per year with the goal of serving the public in a most efficient and professional manner. The Superior Court is responsible for overseeing the Pulaski County Veterans Treatment Court and numerous other court programs that provide support and resources to those who come into contact with the criminal justice system. This navigator role will effectively support this mission, numerous court programs, the community, and also address the need for the community to become safe and drug-free.

“We invite the community to join the Superior Court staff in thanking the Community Foundation of Pulaski County and celebrating this important step towards a safer community,” said Dr. Natalie Tucker, who serves as Veterans Court coordinator and grant writer and program development for the Superior Court.