Veterans Treatment Courts

Overview

Veteran Treatment Courts (VTCs) were first developed in 2008 in Buffalo, New York, by Judge Robert Russell, as an alternative to incarceration for certain justice-involved veterans who have a diagnosis of mental health and/or substance abuse problem. These courts rely on comprehensive case management services to meet veterans’ psychosocial treatment needs and to address underlying issues related to their military service. VTCs promote sobriety, recovery and stability through a coordinated response that involves collaboration by judges, attorneys for both the prosecution and defense, community and veterans service organizations, Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, and veterans who are trained to serve as peer mentors. Abstinence and accountability are key facets of the program via frequent monitoring; coordinated care among multiple systems is the focal strategy and ongoing judicial monitoring and interaction are essential program components in preventing relapse and rearrest.

Resources

  • May 2016

Veterans Treatment Courts: A Second Chance for Vets Who Have Lost Their Way

  • National Institute of Corrections

Funding

Below is a list of funding opportunities that have been previously available from federal and private funding sources. Please note that although the funding deadlines may have passed, they can still be reviewed and considered for future planning purposes. You can check back often on the Announcements page for current funding opportunities as they are announced.

Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program

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Technical Assistance

Many federal agencies and other partners offer assistance, in addition to grant funding, to jurisdictions, agencies and stakeholders to address training needs or the need for subject matter expertise to address local issues or challenges. Through these resources, you can access recent publications, tools, often request one-on-one remote or offsite assistance. Examples of assistance can include time with trainings, consulting time with subject matter experts, and/or opportunities for connecting with peers doing similar work.

Justice for Vets Resources and Training and Technical Assistance

Justice for Vets is a division of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and serves as a resource for jurisdictions planning for and implementing a veterans treatment court. You can access information on mentor courts, learn about efforts across the county, and participant in the veterans treatment court academy. The Bureau of Justice Assistance provides funding for training and technical assistance for planning for and implementing veterans treatment courts.