GENESEO, N.Y., Feb. 12, 2026 — Livingston County Treatment Court celebrated eight individuals during its 52nd graduation ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at the Livingston County Courthouse.
Friends, family, law enforcement, program support staff, and community members gathered to honor the graduates for their successful completion of the 12-to-24-month intensive recovery and personal growth program. For those with non-violent, drug-related offenses, treatment court combines accountability with treatment and rehabilitation services to provide an alternative to incarceration. All participants undergo judicial supervision, including drug testing, weekly reporting to court and probation officials, and community service.
Livingston County Court Judge Jennifer M. Noto oversees the treatment court program. She addressed the graduates during the ceremony, praising them for their willingness to embrace the oftentimes difficult process of rehabilitation.
“In treatment court there’s no easy way out - there’s no magic wand that’s going to get you to that finish line,” said Noto. “You have to work for it. It’s a daily grind that hopefully gets easier over time but nonetheless requires conscious decision making and effort day in and day out. And each of these graduates are here today because they committed to the grind. They said yes to the hard work. On behalf of the entire treatment court team, we are so proud of you. You should be so proud of all that you’ve accomplished.”
The court gave each graduate an opportunity to address the room and share their individual story. Participants reflected on the actions that brought them there and the changes they’ve made to turn their lives around and begin anew.
“I can’t begin to explain the riches that have been provided to me through sobriety,” said one program participant. “What was once chaos and missed obligations has turned into a steady beat of presence and dependability… Treatment court has given me a life worth living and a purpose rather than an escape.”
Each graduate was joined by a supportive family member or friend who spoke on their behalf and recounted the graduate’s journey from their own perspective. As she fought back tears, one mother expressed her deep gratitude for the program’s role in her son’s transformation.
“I want to personally thank the Livingston County court system for allowing [my son] to join this program when he needed it and giving him the opportunity to work on his addiction issues instead of facing jail time and incarceration,” she said. “This has been a long journey but it doesn’t end today just because it’s graduation. For anyone who struggles with addiction, recovery is a life-long commitment.”
With this week’s graduation, more than 250 residents have completed the Livingston County Treatment Court armed with the tools and knowledge to live productive lives, free of substance abuse. Emphasizing long-term recovery, family stability, and community safety, the program strives to reduce recidivism and ease the burden on the justice system.
The success of treatment court and its participants is a result of the collaboration between multiple County agencies and community partners, including:
- Livingston County Court and County Judge
- District Attorney’s Office
- Public Defender’s Office
- Probation Department
- Sheriff’s Office
- County Clerk’s Office
- Livingston County Treatment Coordinator
- Livingston County Mental Health/Community Services.
- Treatment Court Resource Coordinator, Case Manager, and Clerk
- Catholic Charities Steuben/Livingston
- CASA-Trinity, Inc. (Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse of Livingston County)
These experts, along with many other area providers, are united in the common goal of battling addiction and its impact on the region. Livingston County Probation Director Lynne Mignemi spoke to the community effort put forth by these agencies on the graduate’s behalf.
“A team approach can be overwhelming, but it provides many layers of support for participants to reach out to,” she explained. “All the members have areas of expertise they bring to the table to support the many needs of the participants and to assist with consistent messaging. The team hopes that the collaboration amongst members allows the participants to feel that they are not alone and that support extends beyond graduation day.”
For more, visit the Livingston County Treatment Court webpage.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.