Outreach Strategies: Veteran Treatment Courts and Employment Services Tuesday, February 21 2:00 pm EST David Pelletier Project Director Justice For Vets Ronald Hill Program Coordinator Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training Paul Kutniewski Intake Specialist Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training
LOGISTICS Asking questions during the webinar: All participant phone lines are muted. You will be unable to ask questions by phone. Submit questions through the on screen questions box. After the webinar you will receive an email with a link to the recording and the survey.
AGENDA David Pelletier, Project Director, Justice For Vets Ronald Hill, Program Coordinator, Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training Paul Kutniewski, Intake Specialist, Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training Questions
4 Justice for Vets
Justice for Vets Veterans Treatment Court Planning Initiative Introduction to Veterans Treatment Court Developed by: Justice for Vets Justice for Vets, 3 February 2017 The following presentation may not be copied in whole or in part without the written permission of the author or Justice for Vets. Written permission will generally be given without cost, upon request.
Outline What is a Veterans Treatment Court? What is a VTC Mentor? Who are our Veterans? What are our VTC Veterans Needs?
Veterans Treatment Courts Hybrid Drug and Mental Health Treatment Courts using the Drug Court Model. Principals of both Drug & Mental Health Courts Addition of U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs representatives, state and local agencies, and volunteer Veteran mentors. Target those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Jan 08 First opened in Buffalo, NY. January 17 Over 300 VTCs, many are being planned.
10 Keys to VTC 1. Integrate alcohol, drug, mental health, medical needs with the Justice system 2. Use non-adversarial approach 3. Eligible Vets Identified early 4. Access to continuum of care 5. Abstinence is monitored by frequent testing 6. Coordinated strategy governs court responses 7. Ongoing judicial interactions with each Vet 8. Monitoring and evaluation 9. Ongoing Interdisciplinary training 10. Forge partnerships among VA, providers and support agencies
VTC Staffing / Pre-Case Conferencing What The purpose of staffing is to present a coordinated response to offender behavior. Who Judge Coordinator Prosecutor Defense Counsel VJO Treatment Provider Probation Law Enforcement Why Shared Decision Making, Docket Control, Informed Approach, Empowerment of Team When Anytime prior to seeing the participant Eligibility Arraignment Progress Report Probation Revocation / Termination Regression / Advancement Return on Warrant Pre-Graduation/Graduation
Who are the VTC Mentors? Volunteers with prior or current military service Recruit, Train and Maintain Battle Buddies
VTC Mentor Mission To Engage, Encourage and Empower their mentees, the court and the community.
Why have a VTC?
Why a VTC? Veterans have Different Needs Veterans have Unique Resources War and Trauma can have a significant impact Transition from Military Service to Veteran
Who is in a Veterans Treatment Court? Prior or Current Service in the U.S. Armed Forces Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard Active Duty, Reserves, National Guard Anyone who has served regardless of discharge
Size of Active Duty Military US Army 541,291 38% US Navy 317,237 22% US Air Force 333,772 23% US Marine Corps 195,338 14% US Coast Guard 42,357 3% Total Active Duty 1,429,995 (.45% of the US Population serve in the Active Military based on a US Population of 317.8 Million)
Reserve and National Guard There are 850,880 Reserve and National Guard in service 254,000 Reservists and 332,000 National Guard members have deployed to OEF/OIF Increased stress on families, employment, and housing
How many Veterans? 21.6 Million Veterans (10% Female) 2.6 million deployed to combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001 52,402 Wounded, as of 14 Jan 16 6,861 Killed (hostile and non-hostile) 14 Jan 16, Operation Inherent Resolve (Iraq) and Freedom Sentinel (Afghanistan) replaced Operation New Dawn and Enduring Freedom
Military Culture Culture is the way of life for a society. As such, it includes codes of : Manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, norms of behavior such as law and morality, and systems of belief as well as the arts and gastronomy. Cultural Competence refers to an ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures. Developing cultural competence results in an ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures.
Warrior Ethos Before Sense of purpose Identity Morality Belonging Honor Sacrifice During and After Prevent asking for help How does the Warrior become the Veteran Suffer in Silence Pride in Embracing the Suck
Military Culture = History + Training + Experiences
There is No Unified Culture Numerous Sub-cultures Collectivistic vs. Individualistic Why you join What is your role Combat vs. Support Deployed Which Generation Length of Service
Transition to Veteran Loss of identity Loss of support Disconnected from civilian society Duty and Honor Mission
Needs of our Veterans Substance Abuse Homelessness Unemployment Physical Health TBI Mental Health PTSD Depression Suicide
Women Veterans Women comprise approximately: 14.5% of all active duty military 18% of all National Guard and Reserves 6% of VA health care users 8% of the Veteran homeless population are women In FY 2011 VA served nearly 198,908 homeless, at-risk, or formerly homeless Veterans. Of those, 7.7% (15,303), were women 2 times more likely to become homeless than non-veteran women
Substance Abuse Among active duty service members: Heavy drinking (five or more drinks per occasion at least once a week) self-reported at 20%, 27 % among those with high combat exposure. Heavy drinking is higher among 18 to 34 age group than civilians. Prescription drug misuse doubled from 2005 to 2008 ( 4% in 2005 to 11% in 2008) Dept of Defense Behavioral Health Survey - 2008
Suicide Approximately 20% of all suicides are Veterans One study indicated that women Veterans are 2-3 times more likely to die by suicide than non- Veteran women 50% of enrolled Veterans in college, have contemplated suicide VA indicates 22 Veterans die by suicide each day, 8030 per year! In 2013, 479 Active duty, reserves and national Guard died from Suicide
Suicide Profile Male White/Caucasian Non-Hispanic Under 30 years of age Junior enlisted (E1- E4) Educated through high school Most had at least one deployment Primary methods are firearms and hanging Primary behavioral health diagnosis was mood and adjustment disorders Failed intimate relationships and administration/legal problems were most common psychological stressors indicated
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) A trauma disorder caused by a traumatic event (e.g., combat, disasters, terrorism, serious accidents, or physical or sexual assault) Includes 4 types of symptoms: 1. Re-experiencing or reliving the trauma, such as having flashbacks, nightmares, or becoming very upset when reminded of the trauma 2. Avoiding places or people because they remind one of the trauma, isolating from others, and/or feeling numb 3. Increased arousal, such as feeling on guard, being irritable, having trouble sleeping or startling easily. 4. Negative changes in thoughts and mood associated with the trauma, such as not recalling specifics of the event, persistent negative emotions, negative beliefs about oneself or the world Symptoms may lead to problems in functioning in social or family life, work, and school.
How common is PTSD among Veterans? Vietnam War 15% men/8% women (31%/27% est. lifetime prevalence) Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm 10% Operations Enduring Freedom & Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) 14% Est. 300,000 suffering from PTSD or major depression (2010) Repeated deployments increase the likelihood of PTSD
Combat-Related Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) TBI is an injury to the brain from an external force. The external force could be from a rapid acceleration and deceleration, impact, and blast waves. TBIs are classified as Mild, Moderate and Severe TBI can cause temporary or permanent impairment to cognitive, physical and social functioning. These symptoms can also be from co-occurring medical conditions such as posttraumatic stress, chronic pain, or other medical problems. Patients who feel that they have continuing symptoms should see their VA healthcare provider for referral. VA has great resources for further information on the TBI screening, guidelines for assessment and treatment, and published education products. All are freely accessible on the web. Some reference websites include the following: www.polytrauma.va.gov; www.healthquality.va.gov; www.publichealth.va.gov
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) MST is sexual harassment and/or sexual assault that occurs in military settings 60% of women with Military Sexual Trauma also suffered from PTSD MST is not a diagnosis, but a type of trauma 1 in 5 women and 1 in 100 men report experiencing MST VA Screening, 2002-2008
Unemployment In 2013, there were 722,000 Veterans unemployed. Unemployment rate for Veterans was 6.9%. For Gulf War II (Post 9/11) Veterans, the rate is 9%. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2014
Homelessness On any given night it is estimated 49,333 Veterans are homeless Homelessness among Veterans declined between 2010 and 2011, with a net decrease of 10.7% (8,114 people) In 2011, the estimated number of Veterans who used an emergency shelter or transitional housing program at any time from October 1, 2010 September 30, 2011 was 141,448 Veterans. In FY 2011, the VA served nearly 198,908 homeless, at-risk, or formerly homeless Veterans. Of those, 7.7%, were women.
Role of the VA
Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Substance Abuse Mental Health Homeless Services Employment and Vocational Training Education Pension and Disability Payments
Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Program Outreach, assessment, case management for justice-involved Veterans in local courts and jails Veteran identification Assistance in eligibility and enrollment Continued monitoring and consultation Hand-off to VA and community service providers
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department of Labor (DOL) State and County Veterans Affairs Veteran Service and Military Support Organizations Pro Bono Legal Assistance Veteran-Specific Benefits and Services
39 Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training
Origin The District Court in Baltimore City was launched on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015, at the Eastside Courthouse on East North Avenue. Judge Halee F. Weinstein is the Founder and presiding Judge of the Baltimore City Veterans Treatment Docket (VTD). Left to right Judge Halee Weinstein, Army Veteran, and Dr. Adam M. Robinson, Jr., director of the VA Maryland Health Care System, Navy Veteran, join for the inaugural Veterans Treatment Docket in Baltimore City.
Introduction The Veterans Treatment Docket is a court supervised, comprehensive, and voluntary based treatment-based program for former military service members charged with misdemeanors or certain felonies in the District Court. Emphasizes rehabilitation over incarceration Provides supervision and services for up to one year Collaboration between the Justice system and the Department of Veteran Affairs Utilizes other resource providers such as, MCVET.
Qualifications Must have been charged with a non-violent crime Veteran has been diagnosed with substance abuse and or mental health problems. Determination of a connection between the charged behavior and combat related disability Veteran has no right to have their case assigned to the VTD and to remain in good the privilege must be earned by complying with all of the court s requirements.
VTD Transition to MCVET Presiding Judge refers Veteran to MCVET for services Veterans are assigned a Case Manager for 90 days After 90 days, Veteran is referred to Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program
HVRP The Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program at MCVET provides employment through eliminating barriers from incarceration, lack of education, homelessness, age and economic disadvantage. MCVET provides each Veteran with an assessment to determine their skill level MCVET provides vocational, technical and educational opportunities MCVET works in partnership with DLLR, who provides an onsite DVOP MCVET attends job fairs, conducts onsite hiring events and invites employers for potential partnerships for future employment. MCVET provides resume writing, Mock Interviews, Job Coaching and basic computer classes. MCVET assists with job preparation such as clothing, tools, uniforms and text books, etc.
QUESTIONS
FOR INFORMATION US DOL-VETS Region Staff Contact information Atlanta, Philadelphia, San Francisco Cindy Borden cborden@nchv.org 202.546.1969 (Office) Dallas Ian Lisman ilisman@ahpnet.com 508-314-8972 (Cell) Chicago Pat Tucker ptucker@ahpnet.com (312) 376-1871 (Office) (773) 655-6059 (Cell) Boston Nicole La Corte-Klein nlacorteklein@atlasresearch.us (202).717.8710 (Office) 917.710.8889 (Cell) Or email: NVTAC@ahpnet.com