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- Are you looking for ways to assist justice-involved veterans in your community who are suffering from substance abuse or mental health issues?
- Would you like to be educated on the scientific research and best practices to apply to a Veterans Treatment Court?
This was the best training I’ve ever attended from start to finish. I’ve been attending seminars for years. This was the most practical and thought provoking week I’ve experienced. Your presenters were amazing in their ability to convey information in a clear and engaging way. The incorporation of facilitators from all roles in the process was so valuable. I will be encouraging other courts to apply for NDCI training. ~Training Participant
The Veterans Treatment Court Planning Initiative (VTCPI) is designed to assist jurisdictions in the planning and development of Veterans Treatment Court programs. NDCI staff and a cadre of treatment court practitioners work with planning teams to shape programs, develop policy and procedure manuals, and build team unity.
Each session has been designed to familiarize participants with the building blocks of Veterans Treatment Courts.
Topics
- Team building
- Mission statement
- Target populations
- Combat operational stress reactors
- Evaluation/MIS
- Sustainability
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), in partnership with the NDCI, developed the content of each VTCPI program. In offering training and technical assistance through VTCPI, BJA demonstrates a commitment to working with local jurisdictions to prevent and control substance abuse and crime. An expert practitioner from the veterans’ treatment court and a representative from NDCI will attend all VTCPI events.
Using VTCPI, NDCI will serve up to 30 jurisdictions. Once capacity is reached, NDCI will place jurisdictions on a wait-list and accept them into the VTCPI as space becomes available. Funding for VTCPI is contingent on the availability and amount of that fiscal year’s funding for Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant programs.
Selected jurisdictions will participate in a facilitated 6-month planning process. Each jurisdiction will be required to complete pretraining worksheets, attend one 5-day VTCPI training program, maintain routine correspondence with program staff, and submit a Veterans Treatment Court implementation plan or draft policy and procedure manual.
Application Process
To apply, each interested jurisdiction must complete the online application form and submit a letter of commitment from the participating judge. Email the letter to Leonora Fleming, Training Coordinator, at lfleming@ndci.org. The letter must include the following:
- A clearly stated commitment that approved team members will attend the required training in its entirety
- A list of participating agencies that will contribute team members
- An expression of the team's commitment to the planning and development of your Veterans Treatment Court
- The expected responsibilities and resources the participating agencies will assume and dedicate during the Veterans Treatment Court planning process
Team Member Roles and Responsibilities
To participate in VTCPI, each community must identify ten individuals representing the following disciplines to form a Veterans Treatment Court planning team:
Treatment court coordinator
- Judge
- Prosecutor
- Defense counsel
- Treatment provider
- Community supervision representative
- Law enforcement
- Evaluator
- Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator
- Mentor coordinator
Upon acceptance into the training program, each participating team member must commit to the following:
- Attend the entire week of training
- Actively participate in all discussions and training breakouts
- Abide by the “Federal Travel Regulations” and VTCPI policies
- Identify an appropriate substitute if the need arises
- Complete all homework assignments and respond to all requests for information
- Write and submit a letter of commitment
In addition, the treatment court coordinator must serve as the team point of contact for all VTCPI coordination activities. The coordinator will ensure all relevant information is disseminated to team members in a timely fashion, respond to requests for information, and coordinate with all VTCPI staff and faculty.
Required Commitment
BJA's investment in this training initiative is dependent upon active participation of all approved VTCPI team members. In addition to attending the entire week of training, team members must work with project staff throughout the planning process and complete a number of pre- and post-training activities at their home jurisdiction.
VTCPI participants will have regular contact with NDCI during the course of the 6-month planning process. Training is expected to last five days. Attendance of all eight members of the Veterans Treatment Court planning team at one training at the training location is essential and required. Jurisdictions that are unable or unwilling to fully participate in DCPI may forfeit their eligibility for future NDCI-BJA training events.
Upon acceptance into the training program, each participating team member must write and submit a letter of commitment that includes the following information:
- An expression of the agency's commitment to plan and develop your Veterans Treatment Court
- The expected responsibilities and resources the participating agency will assume and dedicate during the Veterans Treatment Court planning process
- A clearly stated commitment that approved team member will attend the required training in its entirety
- Indication that the team member has read and will abide by the “Federal Travel Regulations” and DCPI policies
Training Costs
TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED FOR TRAVEL COSTS!
Lodging costs for required team members will be covered by BJA. Payment will occur through direct billing. All other costs are the responsibility of the team member as detailed in the “Federal Travel Regulations” and DCPI policies.
In addition to that, NDCI has funding to award travel scholarships for travel costs, which include airfare, ground transportation, parking, mileage, and per diem for approved jurisdictions. The applications for travel scholarships may be submitted after jurisdictions are approved for inclusion in VTCPI. NDCI, in collaboration with BJA, will review, approve, and award scholarships. Travel scholarships are intended to defray the cost of travel for teams and may not cover all cost.
Contact Us
For further information regarding the VTCPI application process and training program please contact us:
Carolyn Hardin
Senior Director
571-384-1864
chardin@ndci.org