Clayton County FY24 Veterans Treatment Court Enhancement Grant

The Clayton County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) located in Jonesboro, Georgia is requesting federal funds from the Bureau of Justice Assistance Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program Category 2: Enhancement to enhance treatment and personnel; provide housing and transportation assistance with expected outcomes to reduce and/or eliminate substance abuse by providing random drug testing; increase the availability of mental health services; personnel consisting of a lead counselor, group therapists, evaluator, and case manager; provide secure housing upon release from jail; and improve quality of services by attending the All Rise annual conference.

The VTC will operate as a “mixed model” program, to include both pre- and post-adjudication, which gives the judge, prosecution, and defense counsel the option to target several levels of offenders and offer the Program to the largest possible criminal justice population. An average of 12 new participants per year will be served with the funding each year after the first year of the grant in addition to the current 25 participants for a total of 73 participants over the lifetime of the project. The minimum, maximum, and average of program participation is 18 months, 24 months, and 22 months respectively.

The target population is high-risk and/or high-need adult veteran offenders who reside in Clayton County with an eligible criminal arrest/offense, misdemeanor or certain felonies. The offender must possess a qualifying physical or mental health diagnosis, have served in the Unites States military and in good standing with an honorable or general discharge. VTC will provide services to those not eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The Clayton Judicial Circuit has access to Food and Drug Administration approved forms of medications to treat substance use disorder, counseling and behavioral therapy services.