Idaho Mental Health Court Programs Face Uncertain Future Amid Budget Cuts

Participants credit the programs with turning their lives around, but funding is under threat

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Idaho's mental health court programs, which have helped hundreds of people like Eric Taylor put their lives back together, are facing an uncertain future due to state budget cuts. The programs, which offer support and stability to defendants with substance use and mental health issues, have led to better outcomes and lower recidivism rates for graduates. However, the Idaho Judicial Branch may be forced to prioritize constitutionally required programs, potentially leading to the elimination of mental health courts.

Why it matters

Mental health courts in Idaho have proven to be effective in helping participants address their mental health and substance abuse issues, leading to positive community and generational changes. The potential loss of these programs would be a significant setback for individuals struggling with mental health and addiction, as well as the communities they are a part of.

The details

Idaho's mental health court program is one of 70 different treatment courts offered in the state. The program requires increased random drug tests, weekly meetings with judges, counseling, educational activities, and other assignments. Participants who complete the program successfully are given the chance to graduate and are honored for their recovery. A 2019 evaluation found that graduates had a felony recidivism rate of just 8%, compared to 14% for non-graduates.

  • Eric Taylor enrolled in the Twin Falls mental health court program about two years ago.
  • Taylor graduated from the program in October 2025.
  • The Idaho Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved budget cuts that could mean an $800,000 cut to treatment court programs on Friday.

The players

Eric Taylor

A Twin Falls father who credits the mental health court program with saving his life after his depression and drinking spiraled out of control following his younger brother's death.

Gene A. Petty

A Third District Court Judge who oversees the Canyon County Mental Health Court and is a strong believer in the program, having seen it lead to positive community and generational changes.

Sara Omundson

The administrative director of Idaho courts, who warned that the budget cuts could force the Idaho Judicial Branch to prioritize constitutionally required programs, potentially leading to the elimination of mental health courts.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

The agency that previously covered the treatment portion of treatment court programs, but has eliminated peer-support services and diminished other services due to budget holdbacks.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I truly believe without that program I would have taken my own life, and I wake up every day and thank God I am still here and I was sent to such an amazing program.”

— Eric Taylor (Idaho Capital Sun)

“What I have seen – the reason I have done this the last 8.5 years – is I have seen them get into recovery, leave their addiction, get good mental health treatment and address their mental health, address their criminal thinking and become members of the community that are positive and contributing.”

— Gene A. Petty, Third District Court Judge (Idaho Capital Sun)

“National research shows for every dollar we spend on the treatment courts, we're saving $2 to $4.”

— Sara Omundson, Administrative Director of Idaho Courts (Idaho Capital Sun)

What’s next

The Idaho Judicial Branch has identified a potential solution to try to save mental health courts without increasing taxes or raising fees – they need the Idaho Legislature's permission to use money from the Drug Court/Mental Health Court/Family Court Services Dedicated Fund to continue funding the programs for a few years.

The takeaway

The potential loss of Idaho's mental health court programs would be a significant setback for individuals struggling with mental health and addiction, as well as the communities they are a part of. These programs have proven to be effective in helping participants address their issues and become positive, contributing members of their communities. The state must find a way to preserve this valuable resource in the face of budget cuts.