Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program

Iredell County is requesting $679,727 in federal funds under BJA-2022-171054, Category 1 grant to implement District 22A VTC. The District Attorney’s office collaborated with Judges, Iredell County Courts, the NC Division of Community Corrections, defense attorneys, and treatment providers to establish a 10-person VTC Team and begin the planning process for the proposed VTC. This will be a pre- and post-adjudication court, serving approximately 80 veterans per year. The estimated length of the program will be between 12 and 24 months with an average of 18 months for each participant. 

        The target population for the District 22A VTC will consist of non-violent offenders, charged with Class H and Class I felonies or misdemeanors, with substance use and/or mental health issues. Defendants charged with sexual assault will not be eligible for participation in this specialized court. 

        Once eligibility is determined and the veteran chooses to participate, he/she will be assessed to determine the presence of potential substance use, health, and/or mental health issues. The VTC Team will also work to address issues of housing stability and basic needs. Once assessments are complete, an individualized treatment plan will be established and treatment services provided by Daymark Recovery Services, a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)-accredited local provider. Treatment may include individual or group counseling, and medication assisted treatment (MAT) using buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. VTC participants will have access to MAT as an outpatient service through providers managed by Partners Behavioral Health Management. Once treatment concludes or an ongoing treatment plan is established, assistance with education and employment will be provided through community partners including Mitchell Community College, Goodwill Industries, and NC Works. 

        District 22A VTC will use NADCP Adult Drug Court Best Practice Standards, addressed in the narrative as follows: Standard 1 - Identification of Target Population, Page 3; Standard 2 – Equity and Inclusion, Page 3; Standard 3 – Roles and Responsibilities of the Judge, Page 12; Standard 4 – Incentives and Sanctions, Page 9; Standard 5 – Substance Use Disorder treatment discussed on page 7; Standard 7 – Drug and Alcohol Testing, Page 9; The Multidisciplinary Team, Page 11; and Standard 10 – Monitoring and Evaluation, Page 13. 

        District 22 A VTC will be operated by Iredell County Veterans Treatment Court team