solving the rubriks cube - nadcpconference.org · 2020. 11. 17. · [email protected]. title: rural...
TRANSCRIPT
Solving the Rubriks Cube:
Mastering the Puzzle of Regional Veterans
Treatment Courts in Rural Communities
Importance of Veteran Treatment Courts in
Rural Communities
• Link between military trauma and involvement in the court system.
• Growing number of Veterans appearing on rural dockets
• No services in rural areas
• Power of the Program in Rural Communities
• Traditional social services not equipped to address combat stress.
• Need to engage VA, State Vets Depts., veterans orgs., and family support groups.
Mohave County
Mohave County Population: 204,737
• Lake Havasu City: 53,553
• Kingman: 45,000 including surrounding areas
• Bullhead City: 39,445
Of the total population of Mohave County,
approximately 25, 821 individuals have
been identified as Veterans
Starting a Rural Veterans Treatment Court
It does not happen overnight
Who will be driving the idea?
Best if champion is a local elected leader
Need to deal with CAVE people
• Won’t it be too costly?
• Why should they get special treatment?
• Or more often – If they do the crime,
then they can do the time
Starting a Rural Veterans Treatment Court
Meet with other local elected leaders
• County Supervisors
• Superior Court Presiding Judge
• Mayors in neighboring communities
• Council members
Budgets
• Costs are front loaded
• It will pay off
• Productive members of community
• Not back in the Criminal Justice System
Starting a Rural Veterans Treatment Court
Speeches
Veteran Groups
People Asking about it
Make it uncomfortable
Use
Politics
Challenges of Rural Veteran Treatment Courts
Limited VA presence
• Distance to VA hospitals
• Limited mental health
services
Limited resources
• Treatment providers
• Service providers
Fragmented Veteran organizations
• Veteran organizations
• Veteran friendly organizations
Limited program funding
• Treatment
• Urinalysis
• Transportation
Lake Havasu City/Kingman Regional Veterans Treatment Court
• First Rural Veterans Treatment Court in Arizona: Nov 8, 2013 with 1 Veteran
• First Rural Regional Veterans Treatment Court in Arizona: Dec 9, 2015
• 81 Veterans successfully completed the VTC program (Graduated)
• 47 Dismissals – 29 Reductions in sentencing – 23 Reduction in Post-adjudicated fines
• 3.9% recidivism rate for Veterans who graduated the program – (3 Vets)
• 176 Veterans Court Participants Total
• Averaging 50 - 65 Veterans participating in the program between both Courts
• Average length of program is 9 to 18 months
• Pre – Adjudicated Municipal Court misdemeanor cases
• Post – Adjudicated Municipal and Justice Court misdemeanor cases
Rural Veterans Treatment Court Judge Role
• Ambulance at the bottom of the cliff
• Coming from behind the bench
• Judge K “Special” – Carrot/Stick
• Team Leaders
• Great to be a Veteran but not a necessity
Rural Veterans Treatment Court Coordinator Role
• Case management, administration and courtroom clerk
• Initial needs assessment
• Face of the program – Everyone’s go-to
• Establish trust in the court system and program
• “Probation Officer”
• Community ambassador
Bootcamp: Connection - Approx. 30 days min.
• DD214/ ROI/ 1010EZ• Contract Signed• Vet Court “Resource Connection Guide” &
Criminogenic assessment• Veterans Resource Center Housing
Assessment• Arizona@work Employment assessment
• Treatment Assessment
• U/A’s – 5-8 per Month and/or SCRAM
• Assess Case Requirements (Jail time,
• fines, community services, etc.)
• Assess Social Needs (VA benefits,
Education, Support, etc.)
• Attend VTC Twice a Month
• Promotion to Next Phase
Phase 1: Stability - Approx. 30 days min.
• Proof of Enrollment in Treatment
• U/A’s – 5-8 per Month and/or SCRAM
• Establish a treatment plan
• Start Workbook (if applicable)
• Attend VTC Twice a Month
• Substance Use Free for 30
Consecutive Days
• Promotion to Next Phase
Phase 2: Treatment - Approx. 90 days min.
• Attending/ Engaging in Counseling
• Attending/ Engaging in
Workshops/Workbooks
• Attending VTC Outings
• Assign a Mentor if Applicable
• U/A’s 3- 5 times per Month and/or
SCRAM
• Addressing Any Case Requirements
(Jail time, Fines, Community Services,
Restitution, etc.)
• Addressing Family Needs (VA Benefits,
Housing, Employment etc) through Peer
Support Services
• Enrolled in Other Forms of Treatment if
Applicable
• Complete Workbook (if applicable)
• Attend VTC Once a Month
• Substance Use Free for 90 Consecutive Days
• Promotion to Next Phase
Phase 3: Maintenance - Approx. 90 days min.
• Graduation Date Given once per quarter
• Completing All Case Requirements
• (Jail Time, Fines, C/S, Restitution, etc.)
• Completing Counseling
• U/A’s 3 times per month
• Connected to All Peer Support Service Needs
• Establish Aftercare Plan with treatment
provider
• Attend VTC Once a Month
• Substance Use Free for 90 Consecutive
Days
• Graduation
Phase 4: Aftercare – 12 months
• 3 month Checkup
• 6 month Checkup
• 1 Year Checkup
(Phone Call and Counseling)
• Featured Graduate in Newsletter
• Veteran Court/ VTC Outing Participant
• Mentor Program
Prosecutor’s Role in Veterans Treatment Court Cases
• Gate keeper role
• Change perspective/focus on cases – fix/treatment vs. punishment
• Work WITH the team (including defense attorney) – goal is treatment
• Strike a balance between what is part of treatment process and what is just
laziness.
• Participate in community outreach and activities with the Veterans.
Defense Counsel Role in Veterans Treatment Court Cases
Shift your focus
• Your case is no longer about the charge or the underlying facts
• Abandon any focus on evidentiary issues, defenses, or other legal
issues with the underlying offense
• Focus on the client’s underlying treatment needs while preserving
due process rights when there are sanctions
• Work with the treatment team and participate in outreach and
Veteran’s activities outside of Court
Ensure a safe and Secure Community
Leave no Veteran Behind
• Instilling Pride in their Community
• Community Service Hours Credited
towards the Court Payments owed.
• Dignity & Respect instilled, Personal Pride in
a Job Well Done Ownership Received
• Benefits of a Sober and Clean Environment
• Working Together as a Team
Partnering with Outside Agencies
Partnerships are key for Veteran Treatment Courts
• Vet Center
• Counseling Agencies
• Mentor Coordinator
• Urinalysis Testing Facility
• Probation
• Veteran Housing Assistance
• Employment
• VA Hospital / Veteran Justice
Outreach - VJO
What happens when a Veteran is not VA eligible?
The benefits to working Southwest Behavioral Health Services –
a community based treatment provider
• Free services for members who qualify for state Medicaid
• Assistance in determining eligibility and applying for AHCCCS
• Crisis services
• Behavioral and primary health care
• Co-occurring treatment
Utilizing Outside Treatment Providers
Utilizing Outside Treatment Providers
Client directed – outcome informed, evidenced based treatment
Available services:
• MRT / MAT
• SA groups
• Individual/family counseling
• Skills training
• Vocational services
• Case management
• Peer support
• Residential SA treatment
• Acute psychiatric stabilization
• Primary health care services
Veterans Resource Team
The Veterans Resource Team (VRT) was formed in response to the growing
needs of the Veterans in our community and justice system. The VRT is a
collaboration between many of the local Veteran and City organizations who
have one common goal…... Help our Veterans!
Our VRT consist of:
• Community Organizations
• Meeting at Courts
• Collaborate and discuss ideas
• Fundraise money for Veterans
Why should rural communities have a VRT?
• Main point of contact
• Share resources and ideas
• Excellent way to disseminate information
VRT can assist with needed benefits to Veterans
• U/A Testing cost
• Transportation
• Immediate Financial aid
Benefits…. Benefits… Benefits…
The Beginning of the Veterans Resource Team
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 27
LHC Veteran Treatment Court
Marine Corps League Det 757
The Regional Veterans Resource Team Now
Lake Havasu City Council Members
LHC Veteran Treatment Court
Marine Corps League Auxiliary Det 757
Marine Corps League Det 757
Military Moms
Mohave Community college
Mohave County Community Services
Mohave County Housing Authority
Mohave Mental Health
NAZCARE
Northern Arizona Veteran Resource Center (VRC)
One-Stop Career Center
Praise Chapel
River Fund, Inc.
Salvation Army
Southwest Behavioral Health Services
Triwest Healthcare Alliance
Vet Center
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9401
Veterans Thrift Store
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 975
American Legion Auxiliary Post 81
American Legion Post 81
American Legion Riders
Arizona Coalition for Military Families
Arizona@Work
Arizona Department of Veterans’ Affairs
ASU Lake Havasu
AVVA975 Mohave County
Better Business Bureau
Community Legal Services
Cornerstone Mission
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Ch 27
Goodwill
Havasu Community Health Foundation
Hero's on the Water
Hospice of Havasu
Interagency
Jerry Ambrose Veterans Council
Journey Church
Kingman Veterans Treatment Court
Kingman Council Members
How to get agencies involved in the VRT?
• Paradigm shift
• Get out in the Community
• Speaking engagements
• Involve staff members
The Collaboration of Rural Communities
• Planning and Training
• Established a Veterans Resource Team in adjoining cities
• Regional Staffing and Administration
• Weekly phone conference with the courts.
• Efficient use of Resources
• Collaboration and Synergy
• Modeled after LHC program with differences unique to Kingman
• Participation in Joint Outings (Family Day, Hikes)
• Future Funding
The Lake Havasu City/Kingman Regional Veterans Treatment Court
Regional Staffing
Regional staffing conducted twice monthly
Regional staffing beneficial to the treatment providers and to the VTC programs
Questions???
Mark Nexsen
Lake Havasu City Mayor
Mitchell Kalauli
Lake Havasu City Magistrate
Jeffery Singer
Kingman Magistrate
Kristin Rienfeld
LHC Prosecutor
Bryan Whitney
LHC Public Defender
Tara Lurz
Southwest Behavioral Health
Services Program Director
Jennifer Harrold
Lake Havasu City Court Supervisor
Colene Lowery
Veterans Treatment Court Coordinator
John Ellena
Lake Havasu City Jail Supervisor