The Michigan Supreme Court has announced that $750,000 has been awarded to 23 courts around the state — including 16th Circuit Court and 41B District Court in Macomb County — to fund the operation of veterans treatment court programs.
Instead of incarceration, these problem-solving courts closely supervise offenders who are required to enroll in treatment programs and be drug tested regularly, according to court officials.
“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.”
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, officials said.
In particular, volunteer mentors play an important role by offering their time and energy in helping participants find employment linkages.
In announcing the grants, the court noted that unemployment among veterans treatment court graduates has been cut by more than half. The court also said Michigan leads the nation with 25 veterans
treatment courts.
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.
Other courts sharing the funds include:
• 3rd Circuit Court – Wayne County
• 7th Circuit Court – Genesee County • 9th Circuit Court – Kalamazoo 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
• 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 more information about these grant programs, visit www.courts.mi.gov/pscgrants.
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