Prior to Veterans Day, the Michigan Supreme Court announced last Thursday that $750,000 has been awarded to 23 courts around the state to fund the operation of veterans treatment court programs.
Instead of costly incarceration, these problem-solving courts closely supervise offenders who are required to enroll in treatment programs and be drug tested regularly. Extensive follow-up analysis shows that participants in these courts are far less likely to reoffend and much more likely to find a job and improve their quality of life. In particular, volunteer mentors play an important role by offering their time and energy in helping participants find employment linkages.
“Many of our service men and women continue to fight difficult battles long after they leave the military,” said Justice Joan Larsen, who is the MSC liaison to problem-solving courts. “In the past, courts were not equipped to deal with their unique challenges. By connecting veterans with the help they need, these courts are saving lives, saving money, strengthening families, and building stronger communities.”
Some important facts about Michigan veterans treatment courts:
• Unemployment among veterans treatment court graduates has been cut by more than half.
• Michigan is a national leader with 25 veterans treatment courts.
The process of awarding the grants is highly competitive and funding is limited. In addition to funding, the Supreme Court provides operational support and valuable resources, including a manual for judges interested in starting veterans treatment court programs.
Performance of problem-solving courts is tracked as part of a broader performance measures initiative to monitor court performance statewide. Data collected is used to identify and share best practices and to target areas that need improvement.
Veterans treatment courts promote sobriety, recovery, and stability through a coordinated response that involves collaboration with a variety of traditional partners found in drug courts and mental health courts, as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs, volunteer veteran mentors, and organizations that support veterans and veterans’ families.
FY 2017 VTC Grant Recipients
• 3rd Circuit Court – Wayne County
• 7th Circuit Court – Genesee County
• 9th Circuit Court – Kalamazoo County
• 16th Circuit Court – Macomb County
• 56th Circuit Court – Eaton County
• 1st District Court – Monroe County
• 10th District Court – Calhoun County
• 15th District Court – Washtenaw County
• 17th District Court – Wayne County
• 28th District Court – Wayne County
• 36th District Court – Wayne County
• 41B District Court – Macomb County
• 45th District Court – Oakland County
• 51st District Court – Oakland County
• 53rd District Court – Livingston County
• 54B District Court – Ingham County
• 57th District Court - West Michigan Regional (Allegan, Ottawa & Van Buren Counties)
• 60th District Court – Muskegon County
• 62A District Court – Kent County
• 64A District Court – Ionia County
• 70th District Court – Saginaw County
• 88th District Court – Montmorency County
• 95B District Court – Dickinson County
For additional information about these grant programs, visit www.courts.mi.gov/pscgrants.
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