Veterans Treatment Court Early Identification and Support Services Implementation Project

Moore County, North Carolina proposes to establish a Veterans Treatment Court, focusing on early identification and support services. The purpose of this project is to develop and implement a program for veterans in the criminal justice system, facilitating their referral to pre- and post-adjudication court programs, and enhancing recovery support services. The project aims to increase access to treatment and recovery services for substance use disorder (SUD), posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma.

Moore County is requesting federal funding over 48 months under Category 1, through the Bureau of Justice Assistance FY24 Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program. The county currently does not receive any other federal funding from Bureau of Justice Assistance or Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The beneficiaries of this project are justice-involved active duty or veterans of the military who have a substance use disorder that was a primary factor in their criminal conviction. The project will establish the Veterans Treatment Court program operating at the Moore County Courthouse.

Key activities include integrating the Veterans Re-Entry Search Services (VRSS), Status Query and Response Exchange System (SQUARES), and Administrative Office of the Court (AOC) databases to identify justice-involved veterans through a computer program that matches veteran status with justice involvement. The project will increase access to SUD clinical case management and counseling, transitional housing, housing stability support, transportation support, and basic needs. Moore County anticipates serving 60-100 participants over the implementation period, with successful participants spending at least 24 months engaged in the program.

Expected outcomes include the successful identification and support of 20-30 justice-involved veterans, with milestones including the integration of databases within the first 12 months and the full implementation of support services by month 24. Deliverables include development of identification software and comprehensive reports on participant progress. Moore County will collaborate with SUD providers offering evidence-based withdrawal and treatment services, including medically assisted treatment.