VeteransCourt COL Bryan Morgan Mentor Coordinator Shelby County Veterans Court

Veterans Court Guide

Alabama’s Plan of Action  Initial Statewide Task force mtg., Aug  Community/agency/bar/judicial support  Court orders  Disbursement of Information  Veterans Treatment Court Planning Initiative —Shelby County  Pilot program(s)  ASB Veterans Court Task Force, Dec  AlaVetNet, Dec. 2013

Who is a Veteran? Approximately 415,000 (8%) Veterans live in the State of Alabama.* *As of 9/30/2013.

Who is a Veteran? Retired? Retired? Combat experience? Combat experience? Wounded/Service-connected? Wounded/Service-connected? Military service? Military service? Eligible for VA benefits? Eligible for VA benefits? No clear, agreed upon definition

Who is a Veteran? “Veteran” under Alabama law: “any person, male or female, who served on active duty, whether commissioned, enlisted, inducted, appointed or mustered into the military or naval service of the United States during any war in which the United States has been engaged, and who shall have been discharged or released from such services under conditions other than dishonorable.” Ala. Code § (4) (emphasis added).

Who is a Veteran? Prior or Current Service in the U.S. Armed Forces Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard Active Duty, Reserves, National Guard Active Duty, Reserves, National Guard Anyone who has served regardless of discharge (VA) [?] Anyone who has served regardless of discharge (VA) [?]

Wide Range of Service Eras & Conflicts (OEF/OIF/OND/GWOT) (OEF/OIF/OND/GWOT) 90s (Desert Storm/Shield, Panama, Bosnia) 90s (Desert Storm/Shield, Panama, Bosnia) 80s (Grenada, Beirut) 80s (Grenada, Beirut) 60s/70s (Vietnam) 60s/70s (Vietnam) 50s (Korea) 50s (Korea) 40s (WWII) 40s (WWII)

Reserve and National Guard 254,000 Reservists and 332,000 National Guard members have deployed to OEF/OIF. 254,000 Reservists and 332,000 National Guard members have deployed to OEF/OIF. Increased stress on families, employment, and housing. Increased stress on families, employment, and housing.

Women Veterans 15% of today’s military. 15% of today’s military. Over 235,000 served in OEF/OIF. Over 235,000 served in OEF/OIF. 12%-16% are single parents. 12%-16% are single parents. Approximately 10% of homeless Veterans < 45. Approximately 10% of homeless Veterans < times more likely to become homeless than non-Veteran women. 2 times more likely to become homeless than non-Veteran women.

Homelessness Criminal involvement is single best predictor of future homelessness. Criminal involvement is single best predictor of future homelessness. In 2008, 24% increase in homeless Veterans with families. In 2008, 24% increase in homeless Veterans with families. ADVA study identified over 700 Homeless Veterans in Alabama. ADVA study identified over 700 Homeless Veterans in Alabama.

Unemployment In 2008, 18% of recently separated Veterans were unemployed. In 2008, 18% of recently separated Veterans were unemployed. In 2009, Male Veterans, aged 18-24, unemployment rate was 21.6%. In 2009, Male Veterans, aged 18-24, unemployment rate was 21.6%.

Suicide 22 Veterans commit suicide every day (prior 18/day). 22 Veterans commit suicide every day (prior 18/day). Women Veterans are 2 to 3 times more likely to commit suicide than non-Veteran women. Women Veterans are 2 to 3 times more likely to commit suicide than non-Veteran women. Incarcerated Veterans have the highest risk of suicide. Incarcerated Veterans have the highest risk of suicide. Veterans Suicide Hotline receives roughly 10,000 phone calls a month. Veterans Suicide Hotline receives roughly 10,000 phone calls a month.

What is a Veterans Court? A Hybrid of Drug and Mental Health Court. Is a team effort of standard Drug Court team members, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Veteran Mentors. Strikes proper balance between treating the justice-involved Veteran and protecting the community.

Jan 08 - First VTC opened in Buffalo, NY Jan 08 - First VTC opened in Buffalo, NY 10 x growth rate of original Drug Courts 10 x growth rate of original Drug Courts Veterans Treatment Courts

VTC Movement VeteranJudgeProsecutor Defense Attorney Court Personnel VJO*VSO*Mentor*

Military Cultural Competency Veterans are used to: Structure Structure Leadership Leadership Camaraderie Camaraderie Self-reliance Self-reliance Loyalty Loyalty Patriotism Patriotism

Military Cultural Competency Services have different: History History Recruiting Recruiting Uniforms Uniforms Language Language Creeds Creeds

WHY DOES IT WORK? Mentors are an essential part of the team. Their active, supportive relationship through the treatment process increases the likelihood that a veteran will remain in treatment and improves his or her changes for continued sobriety and law abiding behavior.

VTC Mentor/Peer Programs Volunteers with prior or current military service. Volunteers with prior or current military service. Help Veterans navigate the Court, VA, and treatment systems. Help Veterans navigate the Court, VA, and treatment systems. Assess “other needs” and help adjust to civilian life. Assess “other needs” and help adjust to civilian life. Help the Veteran and Veteran’s family receive the services they need to be productive members of society. Help the Veteran and Veteran’s family receive the services they need to be productive members of society.

Mentor Program Mission To ensure that every participating Veteran receives the services they require by helping them navigate the system and to act as a mentor, advocate, and ally. Program Goals 1.Help our fellow Veterans receive the services they need to reach their full potential as productive members of society. 2.Help them navigate the court system, treatment system, and the VA system. 3.Assess their needs and help them adjust back to civilian life.

Mentor’s Duties & Responsibilities Attend Court scheduled sessions Participate in and lead mentoring sessions when assigned by the judge Be supportive and understanding of the difficulties the Veteran clients are facing Assist the Veteran clients as much as possible to resolve their concerns around the court procedures

Mentors: Keep It Simple! All Mentors are Veteran advocates Serve as a resource for the Vet Help Vet and family navigate systems Make sure VA Healthcare and any claims in place 75% of time, JUST BE A FRIEND! Training is in how to navigate systems, not in “counseling”

Why have a Veterans Court? PTSDTBI Substance Abuse = Co-occurring disorders

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder & Traumatic Brain Injury In 2010, an estimated 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans were suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or major depression. In 2010, an estimated 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans were suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or major depression. Repeated deployments increase the likelihood of PTSD. Repeated deployments increase the likelihood of PTSD. Estimated 320,000 GWOT Veterans may have experienced a TBI ranging from mild to severe. Estimated 320,000 GWOT Veterans may have experienced a TBI ranging from mild to severe. Slightly less than 50% of service members with TBI also have PTSD. Slightly less than 50% of service members with TBI also have PTSD.

PTSD is… An anxiety disorder that occurs after a traumatic event in which a threat of serious injury or death was experienced or witnessed, and to which the person responds with intense fear, helplessness or horror. An anxiety disorder that occurs after a traumatic event in which a threat of serious injury or death was experienced or witnessed, and to which the person responds with intense fear, helplessness or horror. Of the more than TWO MILLION troops who served in Iraq & Afghanistan, more than HALF A MILLION will return with invisible wounds such as PTSD. Of the more than TWO MILLION troops who served in Iraq & Afghanistan, more than HALF A MILLION will return with invisible wounds such as PTSD.

Not just emotional…. Researchers using imaging techniques have studied the impact of severe emotional trauma on brain physiology and discovered that severe trauma which develops into PTSD alters brain functionality, making combat veterans with PTSD act aggressively more frequently.

Vietnam Veterans suffering with PTSD were 4 times more likely to assault their spouse or partner. Vietnam Veterans suffering with PTSD were 4 times more likely to assault their spouse or partner. 47.5% of Vietnam Veterans with PTSD were subsequently arrested. 47.5% of Vietnam Veterans with PTSD were subsequently arrested. PTSD

75% of Vietnam Veterans suffering with PTSD also suffer from substance abuse issues. PTSD

Drunk driving, assault, weapons charges, disorderly conduct and drug possession are the most common criminal behaviors associated with PTSD Drunk driving, assault, weapons charges, disorderly conduct and drug possession are the most common criminal behaviors associated with PTSD A recent study in Colorado Springs showed that 1/3 of veteran arrests in a four month period were domestic assaults. A recent study in Colorado Springs showed that 1/3 of veteran arrests in a four month period were domestic assaults. 53% of arrests are alcohol & drug related. 53% of arrests are alcohol & drug related. PTSD

In 2004, 10% of the prison population were veterans. In 2004, 10% of the prison population were veterans. 65% had never received veteran services. 65% had never received veteran services. Veterans Benefits

Collaborating with Veteran Agencies: US Department of Veteran Affairs US Department of Veteran Affairs American Legion American Legion Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Local Vet Centers Local Vet Centers Marine Corps League Marine Corps League Veterans of Foreign Wars Veterans of Foreign Wars Veteran Health Care Network Veteran Health Care Network VFW VFW Vietnam Veterans of America Vietnam Veterans of America

Who provides Veterans Benefits and Services? Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department of Labor (DOL) Department of Labor (DOL) State/County agencies State/County agencies Veterans Service Organizations Veterans Service Organizations Pro Bono Legal Assistance Pro Bono Legal Assistance U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)  Veterans Health Administration (VHA)  Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

VA Benefits and Services Medical Medical  Substance Abuse  Mental Health (to include PTSD) Homeless Services Homeless Services Employment and Vocational Training Employment and Vocational Training Education Education Pension and Disability Payments Pension and Disability Payments

Alabama’s Caretakers ADVA educational benefits skilled nursing care skilled nursing care assistance with benefits application assistance with benefits applicationADPH Rehabilitation Services Mental Health Public Safety (law enforcement component) DOCAOC ASB (legal community)

Alabama’s Caretakers Alabama District Attorneys Pretrial Diversion Program “If the offender honorably served and is eligible as a former member of the U.S. military to be treated by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs.” Ala. Code §

Leave No Veteran Behind