Establishment of a Veterans Treatment Court in Sedgwick County

PROPOSAL ABSTRACT

The State of Kansas Judicial Branch remains dedicated to its mission of resolving disputes and protecting individual rights by ensuring equal, fair, and timely justice under the rule of law for all people of Kansas.  In alignment with this mission, the Supreme Court adopted Rule 191 forming the Specialty Court Committee and tasked to find innovative solutions aimed at the prevention, intervention, and enforcement of mental health, drug, alcohol, and substance abuse in the State of Kansas with an emphasis on reducing recidivism -- through the use of specialty courts, such as Veterans Treatment Courts. 

These courts are specialized dockets that utilize therapeutic or problem-solving procedures to address underlying factors that may be contributing to a party’s involvement in the criminal justice system, like mental illness or drug, alcohol, or other addiction. Kansas specialty courts are operated by judicial branch judges and personnel.

The proposed grant will establish a new Veteran Treatment Court in the 18th Judicial District Court located in Sedgwick County, Kansas over a 36-month period. 

 
During the lifetime of the grant, a VTC will be established in the 18th Judicial District Court; the Veteran Treatment Court Team will further define their roles and responsibilities, attend foundational training, concretize the tentative design of the Veteran Treatment Court, adopt a VTC policies and procedures manual, and collaborate with others to better serve court users through specialty courts.