The 36th District Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) was established in 2010 to serve military veterans with mental health and/or substance use issues who become involved in the justice system. The program was developed to reduce recidivism among veterans with nonviolent misdemeanor offenses by eliminating their reliance on mood-altering substances. It is a post-adjudication program, meaning all defendants who enter the program must enter a plea and be sentenced into the program as a special condition of probation. Entry into the program is voluntary. However, once an individual has been sentenced, they may not voluntarily withdraw from the program without facing a violation of probation. Those individuals determined to be both legally and clinically appropriate for the program, and wish to participate, sign a contract with the terms of their plea and agree to follow all program rules and requirements.

Established: 2010
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Court type: Urban
Other tracks: Adult drug court, mental health court

The process for entry into the VTC program begins after arrest when the charging document is filed. A defendant may be referred to the program at any stage of the proceedings, although it is recommended that referral be made at the earliest possible point. At arraignment, the district attorney conducts an initial screening by confirming the defendant is a veteran, at least 18 years of age, and eligible for probation as charged. Defense counsel reviews the case and screens for the remaining requirements. If the defendant appears eligible based on this initial screening, the case may be referred by the prosecutor, defense counsel, judicial officer, or probation department to VTC.

The 36th District Court Probation Department uses a validated risk /needs assessment (Needs+ Survey) to guide supervision decisions based on the individual’s level of risk and helps determine the case plan objectives according to their prioritized needs.

The VTC is a post-adjudication program, meaning all defendants who enter the program must enter a plea and be sentenced into the program as a special condition of probation. Entry into the program is voluntary. However, once an individual has been sentenced, they may not voluntarily withdraw from the program without facing a violation of probation. Those individuals determined to be both legally and clinically appropriate for the program, and wish to participate, sign a contract with the terms of their plea and agree to follow all program rules and requirements.

The 36th District VTC consists of five phases and lasts a minimum of 14 months. It incorporates numerous evidence-based practices into its programming. As part of a treatment continuum, the following therapeutic programs are available: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention, Problem Solving Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Processing Therapy, Moral Reconation Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, parenting therapies including Scream-Free Parenting and Dads Matter, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Seeking Safety. Additional treatment and counseling services include peer recovery support specialists, emotional support and service animals, yoga, mindfulness meditation, Housing First, and caregiver support.

The program has many additional features, including:

• Helps organize and assist with a local annual Veterans Stand Down event
• Memoranda of understanding with local law enforcement, community programs, and the VA
• Partnership with Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, which leads all substance use and mental health services in Wayne County, including attending and presenting at the network’s monthly Crisis Intervention Training
• Family reunification funds are available for participants
• Presiding Judge Shannon A. Holmes is a veteran, an elected member of the NADCP Board of Directors, and an appointed member of an advisory committee for the state of Michigan

The Lancaster County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) was established in 2017 and is designed to offer justice-involved veterans the opportunity to remain in the community by thorough judicial supervision and ongoing treatment programming. The program was designed based on the Nebraska Veterans Treatment Courts Best Practice Standards and Justice For Vets’ implementation recommendations. The program encompasses veteran services throughout Lancaster County and requires intensive community-based supervision through the probation department, as well as treatment services through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The program works closely with the other treatment courts operating in Lancaster County.

Established: 2017
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Court type: Urban
Other tracks: Adult drug court, DUI court

The Lancaster County VTC program lasts from 18 to 24 months and incorporates numerous evidence-based practices into its programming. As part of a treatment continuum, the following therapeutic programs are available: Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Image Rehearsal Therapy, Written Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression, Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Depression, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, Problem Solving Therapy, Moral Reconation Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety, Strength at Home, Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorder, and Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation. Additional treatment and counseling services include peer recovery support specialist, mindfulness meditation, caregiver support, and Whole Health wellness interventions such as yoga, tai chi, biofeedback, and battlefield acupuncture.

The VTC also has a volunteer veteran mentor component. Veterans from the community are assigned to participants to support their efforts to create a better life. The mentors meet monthly among themselves to discuss best practices, conduct trainings, and brainstorm ideas for helping their veteran participants.

The Orange County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) was established in 2008 to serve military veterans with mental health issues who become involved in the justice system. The goals of the VTC are to enhance public safety, reduce recidivism, and provide an alternative to incarceration by providing a collaborative, nonadversarial treatment approach for veterans in the criminal justice system who suffer from PTSD, TBI, mental health problems, sexual trauma, or substance use problems as a result of having served in the military.

Established: 2008
Location: Santa Ana, California
Court type: Suburban
Other tracks: Adult drug court, mental health court, DUI court, homeless outreach court

The process for entry into the VTC begins after arrest when the charging document is filed. A defendant may be referred to the program at any stage of the proceedings, although it is recommended that referral be made at the earliest possible point. At arraignment, the district attorney conducts an initial screening by confirming the defendant is an Orange County resident, at least 18 years of age, and eligible for probation as charged. Defense counsel reviews the case and screens for the remaining requirements. If the defendant appears eligible based on this initial screening, the case may be referred by the prosecutor, defense counsel, judicial officer, or probation department to VTC.

The Orange County Probation Department uses a validated risk/needs assessment (Wisconsin Risk Needs Instrument) to guide supervision decisions based on the participant’s level of risk and helps determine the case plan objectives according to their prioritized needs.

If accepted, the participant enters a plea, and the 14-day window to assess the participant’s treatment and supervision needs begins upon release from custody. During this time, the treatment provider and probation department conduct assessments and orientation, and then treatment begins.

While the minimum program duration for the Orange County VTC is 18 months, the average length of participation for graduates is two years. The program incorporates numerous evidence-based practices into its programming. As part of a treatment continuum, the following therapeutic programs are available: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention, Problem Solving Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Processing Therapy, Moral Reconation Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, parenting therapies including Scream-Free Parenting and Dads Matter, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Seeking Safety. Additional treatment and counseling services include peer recovery support specialists, emotional support and service animals, yoga, mindfulness meditation, Housing First, and caregiver support.

The Orange County VTC also has a volunteer veteran mentor component. Veterans from the community are assigned to participants to support their efforts to create a better life.

To address the specific needs of female participants, we have a gender-specific court session to provide a safe environment where the female participants can feel comfortable and support each other.

In addition to our treatment component through the VA, the Orange County Health Care Agency provides treatment and case management for individuals not eligible for VA for services.

The Collaborative Court Foundation is a nonprofit partner that provides financial support to the VTC where the VA is not able to provide assistance. The foundation has provided assistance with school tuition, housing, and prosocial sober activities such as bowling, softball, kayaking, and hiking.

The Southwest Missouri Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) was established in 2013. It was the first specialized court in Southwest Missouri designed to meet the specific needs of veterans. The mission driving the VTC is to successfully habilitate veterans by diverting them from the traditional criminal justice system and providing them with the tools they need to lead a productive and law-abiding lifestyle. To achieve this goal, the program provides veterans suffering from issues related to mental and emotional health and substance use with treatment, academic and vocational training, job skills, and placement services. The program provides further ancillary services to meet the distinctive needs of each participant, such as housing, transportation, medical and dental care, and other supportive services.

Established: 2013
Location: Lawrence County, Missouri
Court type: Rural

The Yellowstone County Veterans Treatment Court (known as Courts Assisting Military Offenders, or CAMO) was founded in Billings, Montana in 2012. Eligible participants are veterans who currently serve or have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and immediate family members of veterans affected by deployment and charged with a felony or misdemeanor offense. In addition to having a diagnosed substance use and/or mental health disorder, participants may have the need for extensive case management services and/or ancillary services. The program also meets a gap in service, providing substance use and mental health treatment to veterans not eligible for VA services due to their discharge status or income restrictions.

Established: 2012
Location: Billings, Montana
Court type: Suburban/rural
Other tracks: Adult drug court, DUI court, co-occurring disorders court

Clients are eligible for CAMO at various points in within the process. The referral base is very broad, as CAMO is a regional veterans treatment court. Referrals are considered from judges statewide, clients identified by the Veterans Justice Outreach officer (VJO), law enforcement, attorneys, probation, and self-referrals. Clients can enter CAMO at the pre-plea, post-plea, or pre-sentence stage. We also receive many referrals from probation in lieu of filing a formal probation violation and revocation. Clients are also identified by the jail as had having military service.

Every effort is made to accept participants into CAMO from the population of focus within 50 days of arrest. Individuals with sex offenses and some violent offenses are excluded.

CAMO’s coordinators use an electronic case management system (Data Collection Case Management), as well as a risk assessment (RANT) and needs assessment (Center for Court Innovation Assessment) to screen potential clients for eligibility. Once deemed eligible for CAMO, clients review the contract with their defense attorney, observe a court session, and then are formally inducted into the program. Orientation and drug/alcohol testing are conducted immediately following induction. Treatment begins on the next business day.

In addition, CAMO has an established memorandum of understanding with the Federal Court and U.S. Attorney to accept veterans with federal charges.

CAMO incorporates numerous evidence-based practices into its programming. As part of a treatment continuum, the following therapeutic programs are available: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Matrix Model, Moral Recognition Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Relapse Prevention Therapy, Seeking Safety, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Additional treatment and counseling services include equine therapy, trauma-informed yoga, meditation, art, gender-specific recovery groups, couples’ counseling, family counseling, and anger management counseling.

CAMO also has an outstanding volunteer veteran mentor component made up of individuals with prior military service. CAMO participants meet weekly with mentors individually and/or in a group. Mentors may have more frequent contact with participants via phone, email, or text. We facilitate an orientation program that includes information and training on the role of mentors, boundaries, common conditions of participants, and how to refer concerns to the CAMO team. Mentors attend weekly staffing and relay participant progress from the previous week. They also meet administratively and participate in ongoing training.

CAMO partners with a local transitional housing facility to provide housing to honorably discharged veterans experiencing homelessness. CAMO participants experiencing homelessness or who have recently been discharged from incarceration also have access to the court’s “store,” from which they can obtain free clothing and personal care items. Clients can also choose to get store credit as an incentive for positive behavior.