Veterans Treatment Courts News and Events
The military uses SITREPs, or Situation Reports, to keep personnel apprised of what is occurring in and around military units. Justice for Vets will use this same tool to keep you informed of important developments within the Veterans Treatment Court movement to include news, legislation, media coverage, resources, funding opportunities, special events and more. You can also download the latest SITREP by clicking here.
If you would like to be added to the Justice For Vets distribution list, email Brian Clubb at bclubb@nadcp.org.
8/4/10
Madison County Veterans Treatment Court wins national award
The Madison County Veterans Treatment Court, one of the first in the country, has won a prestigeous $10,000 national award. The award is one of six Paul H. Chapman awards given out each year by the Foundation for the Improvement of Justice.
"I am very thankful that our court was nominated for this award," said presiding Judge Charles Romani. "I commend all of the participants of this court for their hard work in helping our United States Veterans, who are in trouble, get their lives back on track." The court was nominated by Rep. John Shimkus.
7/16/10
Sen. McCaskill unveils St. Louis veterans court
Sen. Claire McCaskill, who helped create the first Drug Court in Missouri, attended an unveiling of the St. Louis Veterans Treatment Court. "Veterans courts are so important," she said. "We have services [through the Veterans Administration] available to you that are in many ways unique." The St. Louis Veterans Treatment Court is the 40th in the country.
7/12/10
Hennepin County has Launched the 39th Veterans Treatment Court in the nation and the first in Minnesota.
Click here to download the Hennepin County Veterans Treatment Court brochure.
7/12/10
VA Simplifies Access to Health Care and Benefits for Veterans with PTSD 
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced a critical step forward in providing an easier process for Veterans seeking health care and disability compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with the publication of a final regulation in the Federal Register.
“This nation has a solemn obligation to the men and women who have honorably served this country and suffer from the often devastating emotional wounds of war,” said Secretary Shinseki. “This final regulation goes a long way to ensure that Veterans receive the benefits and services they need.”
7/9/10
Uniform Justice
Soldiers who commit certain crimes after returning home with mental health disabilities are treated differently than others who break the same laws and go through traditional courts. Some judges believe a vet’s service to the country merits special legal consideration. Need to Know correspondent Maria Hinojosa went to Texas to find out more.
Watch the full episode. See more Need To Know.
6/24/10
Special court in Hennepin County aims to help veterans
St. Paul, Minn. — In a few weeks, a special court designed to help veterans is set to launch in Hennepin County. The court will be the first of its kind in Minnesota, and aims to help troubled veterans stay out of jail. Click for full text.
6/21/10
Valley vets get court of their own: Tulare County offers victims of PTSD a second chance.
"Veterans courts follow the drug court model: Instead of jail, the defendant is diverted to mental health treatment. But the judge still can incarcerate defendants who skip therapy, break the law or fail random drug tests." Read more.
6/14/10
For her work in helping veterans access resources if they enter the court system, Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton received the “Veteran Advocate of the Year” award during the Vietnam Veterans of America, Buckeye State Council State Convention.
In accepting the award, Justice Stratton said she was accepting it on behalf of all the veterans that need assistance. “While I’m grateful for the recognition, this effort is all about honoring those who have served our country so admirably,” Justice Stratton said. “Veterans need our help, and I’m committed to seeing that all the necessary resources are at their disposal.”
6/11/10
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the Veterans and Servicemembers Treatment Court Act. “Many of our brave servicemembers come home suffering from the effects of war, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, traumatic brain injuries, substance abuse and other service-related disabilities,” said Governor Quinn. “This law will help us take better care of our Veterans who need treatment, not jail.”
Click here to learn more about Veterans Treatment Court legislation.
6/2/10
The National Association of Drug Court Professionals Board of Directors has unanimously voted to approve a resolution in support of Veterans Treatment Courts. Click here to download this and other NADCP resolutions.
5/18/10
"Don't let the enemy defeat you at home!"
For the first time ever, a group of 28 Medal of Honor recipients have created special public service announcements to urge veterans and active duty military to seek help for post-traumatic stress and other mental health disorders. The "Medal of Honor - Speak Out" campaign has made the public service announcements available for your use.
Click here to read more about the campaign and to download the PSA's.
5/13/10
The National Association of Drug Court Professionals 16th Annual Training Conference (June 2-5 Boston, MA) will host over ten hours of training specific to Veterans Treatment Courts and issues related to justice involved veterans.
Click here for information on each session and to register.
5/12/10
National Public Radio is the latest national news story to highlight Veterans Treatment Courts. The third installment of NPR's Impact of War series brought listeners to Minnesota where a former Marine is finally getting treatment for substance abuse, PTSD and traumatic brain injury after being arrested for drug possession.
Click here for this and other news stories about Veterans Treatment Courts.
5/11/10
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy has released the 2010 National Drug Control Strategy. Veterans Treatment Courts are featured on page 54 in a section titled, "Veterans Treatment Courts Continue to Offer a Solution to Veterans in Need." Click here to read more.
5/11/10
Dallas County has launched the nation's thirty-first Veterans Treatment Court and the third in Texas.
4/15/10
Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed House Bill 1104 into law, making Colorado only the second state to pass legislation authorizing the establishment of statewide Veterans Treatment Courts. Click here to learn more about Veterans Treatment Court legislation.
4/8/10
Speaking at a meeting of the Veterans' Initiative of Tulsa, Attorney General and Gubernatorial candidate Drew Edmondson pledged to establish statewide Veterans Treatment Courts in Oklahoma if elected Governor. "We would save money and lives in the long-run," AG Edmondson said, " Our veterans deserve no less."
4/6/10 
On April 6, 2010, United States Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, a retired four-star general in the U.S. Army, continued his outstanding support of Veterans Treatment Courts by visiting the Buffalo Veterans Treatment Court.
Click here to read about the visit.
