In this episode, Justice Speaks continues its series on state specialty courts and the leaders who help guide their growth and effectiveness. This episode is sponsored by Reconnect and features Ms. Rachel Varela, the Deputy Therapeutic Court Program Coordinator for the Alaska Court System, who oversees thirteen therapeutic court programs statewide.

Ms. Varela brings a unique combination of clinical and administrative experience to her role. Trained as a chemical dependency counselor, she first entered the justice field in 2019 as a project coordinator for the Anchorage Family Treatment Court. Her skill and dedication quickly led to increasing responsibilities, culminating in her appointment as Deputy Therapeutic Court Program Coordinator in 2021. Today, she manages statewide operations, policies, and budgets for a diverse system of courts that includes family, veterans, tribal healing, DUI/drug, and mental health dockets.

Ms. Varela described how Alaska’s therapeutic court system has grown from a handful of pilot programs into a coordinated network designed to improve access to treatment and rehabilitation. Her team provides administrative oversight, data collection, and program evaluation for all therapeutic courts, ensuring that each adheres to evidence-based practices and national standards. Alaska’s courts, she explained, operate within a unique geographic and cultural landscape, serving urban centers and remote rural areas alike. This requires constant innovation and flexibility to meet local needs while maintaining fidelity to best practices.

Training and professional development are central to Ms. Varela’s vision for Alaska’s courts. Working alongside her colleague Ms. Michelle Bartley, she is developing an annual, in-state conference dedicated to strengthening the skills of treatment court teams. The goal is to ensure every jurisdiction—from Anchorage to the smallest tribal community—has access to consistent, high-quality training. Ms. Varela and Ms. Bartley are also establishing a statewide steering committee, complete with specialized subcommittees for each court type, to enhance coordination and resource sharing.

To streamline participant entry into the system, they are designing a screening hub staffed with multiple intake professionals who can assess and refer individuals efficiently to the appropriate court program. Collaboration with AllRise will provide technical assistance to support these initiatives, further aligning Alaska’s therapeutic courts with national standards of excellence.

Funding, as in many states, remains a central concern. Ms. Varela outlined Alaska’s hybrid funding model, which combines state appropriations, federal grants, and resources from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority. The Trust plays a vital role in supporting participants with serious mental illness and substance use disorders, ensuring that services remain available even in remote areas. Ms. Varela credited former leaders Ms. Michelle Bartley and Ms. Claire Waddup for laying the groundwork for the state’s current success through their years of leadership and advocacy.

Among Alaska’s legislative milestones, Ms. Varela highlighted a 2016 reform allowing felony DUI participants to obtain limited driver’s licenses after completing court-ordered treatment. This policy, she explained, has improved rehabilitation outcomes by helping participants return to work, maintain family stability, and fully reintegrate into their communities.

Despite these advances, Alaska faces persistent challenges. In some regions, particularly Juneau, housing shortages affect both participants and staff. Ms. Varela described creative solutions, including temporary use of RVs and other innovative housing options, to keep programs operational. She noted that such adaptability is a defining feature of Alaska’s justice professionals, who routinely find ways to make limited resources stretch across vast distances.

Technology is proving to be a key ally in that effort. Ms. Varela emphasized how telehealth services, virtual hearings, and remote collaboration tools have transformed access to justice across the state. Her office is also developing a statewide screening tool to improve data consistency, accuracy, and evaluation. These technological advancements, she noted, not only improve efficiency but also reduce barriers to care for participants living hundreds of miles from the nearest courthouse.

Looking ahead, Ms. Varela envisions an Alaska therapeutic court system that is more integrated, data-driven, and accessible than ever before. With stronger infrastructure, enhanced training, and continued partnerships, she believes Alaska can build a model of justice that reflects both accountability and compassion.

We wish to thank Ms. Rachel Varela for sharing her insights and experiences on Justice Speaks. We also wish to thank Reconnect for sponsoring this podcast episode.

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