The Michigan Supreme Court recently announced that $1.17 million in grants has been awarded to 24 courts statewide — among them Macomb County Circuit Court and 41B District Court in Clinton Township — to fund the operation of veterans treatment court (VTC) programs during the next fiscal year.
Extensive follow-up analysis shows that unemployment among Michigan veterans treatment court graduates was reduced by more than half in Fiscal Year 2017.
“Many of our service men and women continue to fight difficult battles long after they leave the military,” said Justice Elizabeth T. Clement, MSC liaison to problem-solving courts, at a VTC graduation at the 54B District Court in East Lansing. “By funding these programs, we are able to connect military veterans with the help they need—and deserve.”
Clement said such courts “serve those who have so bravely served our country, and as a result, they are saving lives, strengthening families, saving money, and building stronger communities.”
Other veterans treatment courts that received grants include:
• 3rd Circuit Court – Wayne County
• 7th Circuit Court – Genesee 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
• 19th 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
• 80th District Court – Clare County
• 88th District Court – Montmorency County
• 95B District Court – Dickinson County
In addition to funding, the Supreme Court provides VTCs with operational support and resources, including a newly-updated manual on state certification requirements, educational programming, and a manual for judges interested in starting a program.
Michigan leads the nation with with 25 VTCs.
Problem-solving courts are non-traditional courts that focus on nonviolent offenders whose underlying medical and social problems have contributed to recurring contacts with the criminal justice system.
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.
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