In the first episode of season 2, Butch sits down with Katie Stewart, L.C.S.W., national coordinator of the Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Program for a deep dive into the the many ways VJOs ensure that justice-involved veterans have access to the care, services, and other benefits they’ve earned. VJOs help maximize veterans’ potential for success and stability in the community, including by helping them avoid homelessness and ending their involvement in the justice system. The discussion includes an explanation of the Veterans Re-Entry Search Service, a vital resource for identifying justice-involved veterans and linking them with care.

At VA, healthcare comes with a very broad definition. So, healthcare isn’t just primary care or specialty medical care. It is those things, but it is also housing programs, employment support, mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment. The intersection of criminal justice and healthcare is exactly the right place for us to be.

Katie Stewart, L.C.S.W.
National Coordinator
Veterans Justice Outreach Program