For the past year I have been working tirelessly to form a Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) in Calaveras County. By my side I have had advocates within the veteran community and in County Offices. If all goes well, 2014 may see a VTC in Calaveras County become a reality.
A Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) follows the already in-place Penal Code, PC 1170.9, with greater enhancements. The PC, rewritten in 2010 after realignment, allows for veterans diagnosed with PTSD, TBI, sexual trauma or stress related to military service an opportunity to receive therapy and treatment through the VA as opposed to the expense of the county.
A VTC goes a step further allowing the vet to participate in a VTC thereby committing to, at times, a much longer term of treatment and a commitment to change their life. Upon completion the 'graduate' will have their rights restored, a possible felony reduction and the ability to answer "no" legally on a job application asking of prior convictions. This does not come at a small cost to the vet. It requires ownership of their offense as well as ownership of their success. It is a minimum year commitment, sometimes up to two years, intensive therapy and treatment through the VA and a veteran mentor by their side the whole way. Many may choose to simply "do their time" as the VTC is a long term commitment to a life change. However, those who qualify and choose this option have help along the way and the ability to gain back their honor, respect and the trust of those they love.
(Exclusions to the program are violent offenders, gang related crimes and sex offenders.)
I have been mentored by Assistant Chief Defense Counsel Weiher in San Mateo County, received operating manuals from Orange County and San Mateo County, have attended VTC's, have worked with a non-profit group specializing in formation of VTCs, have obtained proposals on use of AB109 funds for specialty courts from San Joaquin County and have spoken in person with DA Yook, Defense Counsel Gross, Sheriff Kuntz, Judge Swift, Veteran Service Officer Beretz, Behavioral Health Director Sawicki, Captain Macedo and Commanders of various Veteran Groups, as well as by phone and email to Probation interim Chief Seigel and Commisioner Barrett. All believe there is potential for a VTC in Calaveras and all support the effort.
With this said, I submitted a proposal to the CCP (Community Corrections Partnership) who oversees the AB109 funds (realignment funds from the State). At the March 14, 2014 CCP meeting I presented a power point overview of the Veterans Court Pilot and requested training funds for each department to receive yearly training on processing Veterans through the judicial system. At which time it was called into question by County Counsel whether this was the correct venue for funds for such training.
At this point I once again pointed to the already existing PC allowing for diversion of vets to VA programs and the necessity of our judicial system to be able to recognize and serve this population.
Sheriff Kuntz asked to speak and stated that he was 100% in favor of such a court and of funding for the training. He pointed to the cost savings not only now but in the future as recidivism with graduates of VTC's are at an average of 2% where as the state average is above 50%.
DA Yook also was in favor as was behavioral health. The superior court rep was very interested but was not empowered to voice a yeah or nay on the subject.
Sheriff Kuntz at that time offered to use his own training budget for this fiscal year to train a member of his department, Yook agreed as did Behavioral Health. The court rep also expressed interest in attending training.
While it remains unclear if AB109 funds will be used for training in next years budget, it seems clear that each department necessary for the success of a VTC is willing to use their own training funds to see this underserved population receive the justice they so deserve.
At this time there are representatives from Calaveras County registered to attend the 2nd annual VetCon (Veterans Treatment Court Conference) to be held in Anaheim in late May. In addition a representative from the Palo Alto VA will be coming to Calaveras County to instruct and guide us further in our quest for justice for Veterans.
As this issue is near and dear to my heart, I will continue on the path of forming a VTC in Calaveras County and as a journalist I will keep you posted.
Statistics:
Recidivism rates:
US average rate 62% to 77%
California average rate 58%
Vet court graduates 2%
Calaveras Jail intake 2013:
93 of the 2,583 'fresh intakes, warrants and court commitments' claimed prior military service = approximately 5%
by,
Charity Maness
