Veterans Treatment Court Enhancement Grant

Service Area: Seminole County, FL

Category & Court Type: Category 2 Enhancement-Pre-Trial, Post-Adjudication

Federal Request: $749,307.90

Type of services: With funding, this project will enhance the services of the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) to include: 1) Increased case management and enhance intake process; 2) Expanded capacity to randomly test and monitor participants’ substance use locally; 3) Expanded treatment capacity including additional crisis stabilization/detoxification/residential treatment services to address increase in participants with opioid, stimulant and alcohol abuse and enhance a mentor program; 4) Support transportation needs of participants; 5) Enhanced evaluation of program.

Number of participants over life of grant period: Project will serve 100 participants over 48-months.  Minimum: 6 months, Maximum: 24 months, Average: 12 months

Target Population: Veterans arrested in Seminole County, 18+ years, whose charge is a criminal misdemeanor or felony drug offense, or other misdemeanor/felony crimes directly related to their substance abuse or mental health issues.  Veteran definition: person who has served, but is not currently serving, on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, or served in U.S. Merchant Marine during WWII.  Those who served in National Guard or Reserves are classified as veterans only if they were called or ordered to active duty.  Veterans must have an honorable/general under honorable conditions discharge.

MAT:  If recommended by program treatment providers (VA or Aspire Health Partners), participants have access to MAT services.  The VTC Judge has agreed to support access to MAT.

Opioid/Stimulant Plan: All participants are screened for substance use prior to enrollment by the certified ORAS screener and by the Veteran Affairs staff. Those identified with opioid/stimulant abuse receive clinically appropriate treatment placements. For those that are eligible, Veteran’s Affairs distributes NARCAN to individuals and families to reduce risk of overdose.

Treatment Services: Treatment is provided by the Orlando Domiciliary/Orlando VA clinic and nonprofit provider Aspire Health Partners. Treatment options include evidence-based: Crisis Stabilization, Detoxification, Residential Treatment, Intensive Outpatient, Psychosocial Support (individual/group, PTSD and trauma-informed care, family) and recovery support assistance with housing, employment, family issues.

Key Components: All 10 Key Components are addressed on pages 13-16 in the narrative.

Other Federal Funding (list grant numbers): 1) Partial from SAMHSA Adult Drug Court Grant #1H79TI081060-01. Ends 9/30/2022.