Regional Enhancement of the Baltimore Veterans Treatment Court

This application seeks federal funds over 48 months under Category 2: Enhancement to expand the Baltimore Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) to a regional model to serve 300 veterans in Baltimore, Carroll, Howard, and Harford counties. The VTC will continue to be pre- and post-adjudication and accept all risk levels regardless of discharge and Department of Veterans Affairs eligibility status. The diversion track is 90 days; the two probation tracks are 12-18 months in length (16 months average). Participants have access to all three forms of medications for opioid use disorder, any Food and Drug Administration-approved medication assisted treatment for other substances and accompanying behavioral health services at the Department of Veterans Affairs or community providers. Individuals prescribed medication assisted treatment or medications for opioid use disorder will not be denied program access because of FDA-approved substance use disorder medications.

Funds will be used to hire a full-time VTC Case Manager for intensive case management to the additional program participants due to the increase in the catchment area. Second, funds will support attendance to relevant training and educational opportunities to increase team member knowledge of current trends, best practices, and veteran-specific issues. Third, purchasing drug screens and lab confirmations and establishing a weekend/holiday testing contract with a local urgent care will align the program’s drug testing protocol with best practices. Fourth, funds will be used to enhance recovery support services through strengthening the mentor program and creating an alumni group through the hiring of the Case Manager (so the Mentor Coordinator can solely focus on the mentor program), sending one to two mentors annually to the mentor training boot camp, and the creation of data-driven recommendations through an evaluation of the mentor program and alumni group. Finally, additional transportation support for participants will be provided through the purchase of gas cards and a ride share contract with Lyft.