Southwest FL – The membership got a chance to learn about the Veteran’s Treatment Court (VTC) from local veterans Chris Landis, Veterans Court Services Coordinator, and William Sterbinsky, assistant state attorney. The Twelfth Judicial VTC is a court-supervised program coupled with intensive treatment and supervision for high risk, high needs criminal offenders. It is designed for Veterans who have substance abuse, mental health, or problems adjusting to civilian life and have been charged with a felony or misdemeanor crime.
They explained the process that works to help veterans who are struggling and are often dealing with challenges like PTSD and injuries sustained during service. This program gives Veterans a chance to expunge their criminal records by completing the program. All participants are required to make monthly court appearances for judicial review. Treatment may involve drug and alcohol rehabilitation and treatment; random drug testing; support group meetings; vocational, job, and education referrals; and community supervision. There are now 30 Veterans Treatment Courts in Florida and many more nationwide with a very impressive success rate of 90%! The goals of the VTC are to reduce recidivism, facilitate participant mental wellness and sobriety, improve quality of life, and maintain public safety.
The program also seeks to pair its participants with veteran mentors in the community. Any Veteran with an honorable discharge is eligible to be a mentor and can learn more about becoming a mentor by contacting Chris Landis at 941-749-3600, ext. 7071 or clandis@jud12.flcourts.org .
MOAS is the Sarasota Chapter of Military Officers Association of America. MOAA is the nation’s largest and most influential association of military officers with 370,000 members. It is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization. For more information visit, www.sarasotamoaa.com Are you a former military officer? Please come and join us at our monthly luncheon.
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