News
Pennsylvania Courts Release Veterans Treatment Court Videos
News Article
November 07, 2019
In honor and recognition of Veterans Day, Pennsylvania Courts today released new videos raising awareness for Veterans Treatment Courts emphasizing the programs’ critical need for volunteer veteran mentors.
“As Americans, we owe a debt of gratitude to our military veterans,” Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd said. “These rehabilitative courts help veterans by combining treatment and personal accountability, with the goal of breaking the cycle of addiction and criminal behavior.”
Produced by AOPC/Communications, the videos provide the opportunity to hear directly from participants, graduates and judges about the positive impact Veterans Treatment Courts have on participants. Emphasized throughout the personal stories was the crucial role that volunteer veteran mentors play in the success of these programs.
“Veterans deeply value their military experience and share a bond with their fellow vets. The mentor component builds upon this camaraderie; it is unique, and it is one of the key ingredients to the success of our Veterans Courts,” Justice Todd said.
Facilitating the opportunity for veterans in the community to be of service to their fellow veterans in need, these programs rely on mentors who share that bond. Mentors volunteer their time to support participants as they navigate the court, treatment and Veterans Affairs systems.
There are currently 25 Pennsylvania Veterans Treatment Courts that strive to assist justice-involved veterans who are suffering from mental health issues such as posttraumatic stress disorder and other co-occurring disorders as a result of their service to this country. Participants are intensely supervised throughout the course of the program, while receiving guidance and support from veteran mentors, as well as any necessary treatment from the Veterans Administration or local treatment providers.
Watch the Veterans Treatment Court video and the veteran mentor video now – and learn more about volunteering as a mentor at veterans.pacourts.us.
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Media contact: Kim Bathgate, 717-231-3331 or 717-576-4373 (cell)