Implementation of a Veterans Treatment Court in the 3rd Judicial District of the State of Minnesota

The Third Judicial District is largely a rural area located in southern Minnesota. The first drug court began in 2003 and six adult drug courts are currently operating in the District serving post adjudication cases. This application is for a Type B Veterans Court.

Freeborn County is requesting grant funds in the amount of $301,233 to implement a district-wide Veteran Treatment (VTC) to serve 11 Counties in the Southeast corner of Minnesota based on a needs assessment.  The funds will be used to employ a fulltime Coordinator who will perform case management, training, evaluation, transportation and drug testing.   

The Third District VTC will serve high risk/high need and low risk/high need offenders and place them into the high or low risk track accordingly to match their risk and need principle.  VTC will identify risk and needs by using validated screening tools to include the Risk and Need Triage (RANT) and the Level of Service/Case Management Index (LS/CMI).  Target population includes District offenders with veteran discharge statuses, branch affiliations, reserve or active duty service, currently serving members in an active duty or reserve status, and combat or non-combat experience. Target population includes offenders who are District residents, at least 18 years old, have a clinical diagnosis that necessitates treatment, and are willing to participate.  All participants have access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT.) The Courts do not exclude participation due to using MAT’s nor require participants to taper off MAT’s.  The Courts do not prohibit prescribed FDA-approved medications.  

The Third District VTC projects to serve a maximum capacity of 25 participants on any given day. The estimated number of participants to receive services is 66 over the four-year project period. The minimum programs length is 18 months and with no maximum length. The average length of programs are 20 months.  

Prosecutors conduct an initial legal screen upon filing of charges and probation screens cases who have probation violations. A clinical evaluator is available to conduct substance abuse assessments and mental health assessments very shortly after arrest.

Freeborn County incorporates the Ten Key Components as well as the BJA’s Ten Evidence-Based Program Design Features and is reported in the program narrative pages 10-15.  The District-wide VTC will collect and report on program goals and recidivism for program participants and graduates one year post program by utilizing Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS), NCIC, BJA, DVS and local police data. This information will be reported annually to all Teams and partnering agencies. 

Freeborn County is not in an Empowerment or Renewal Zone, nor leveraging any other federal funds to support Treatment Courts.  Freeborn County grants permission to share project abstract with the public. Freeborn County received Planning Initiative training in July of 2018 to implement the district-wide VTC that will serve 11 counties.