Veterans Treatment Courts key to new presidential strategy to strengthen military families
On January 24, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Dr. Jill Biden announced the release of “Strengthening Our Military Families: Meeting America’s Commitments,” a report containing commitments by federal agencies to establish a coordinated and comprehensive federal approach to supporting military families.
The report names Veterans Treatment Courts and NADCP's National Drug Court Institute as key to accomplishing the Administration’s goal of making our court systems “more responsive to the unique needs of Veterans and families.”
The report comes a year after President Obama called on all Cabinet Secretaries and other agency heads to find better ways to provide our military families with the support they deserve. It was signed by all 14 Cabinet Secretaries.
Drug Courts, Mental Health Courts and Veterans Treatment Courts are an emergent solution for veterans involved with the criminal justice system as a result of substance abuse and/or mental illness and their families. The presidential report states:
In order to address the root causes of criminal behavior and reduce involvement with the criminal justice system, DOJ, and HHS will partner to further develop the Veterans Treatment Court concept. In response to the growing need for Veterans courts, a program that is endorsed by the VA, the National Drug Court Institute is developing a curriculum for “Veterans only” Drug Courts that addresses crimes related to a Veteran’s substance abuse or dependence. Training and technical assistance dollars have been reallocated to address this growing need. The next Veterans Drug Court Planning Initiative will be held in 2011 to train 10 teams from various cities in the country, in order to best coordinate services for Veterans with PTSD, TBI, and substance abuse problems. Currently, there are 41 courts in operation. VA has a staff member at each Veteran Drug Court proceeding to help enroll the Veteran into the VA’s health care system for the important health care and services the Veteran may need.
Watch the press conference announcing the release of
"Strengthening Our Military Families: Meeting America's Commitments"
President Barack Obama looks over at First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden as he delivers remarks in the East Room of the White House unveiling efforts to better coordinate and strengthen the Federal government’s support for military families, Monday, January 24, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
