Mid-Hudson Veterans Drug Courts Enhancement Program

The Congressionally Recommended Awards Program, authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects recommended by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-117, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 2010 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY2010 Department of Justice Appropriations Act.

The Center for Court Innovation (the Center) will to respond to the growing concern of the co-occurrence of mental illness and substance disorders in veterans with a problem-solving approach that will address the underlying issues that bring veterans into the criminal justice system. Building on the success of the nation's first Veterans Court in Buffalo, New York, the Center will create a model veterans' track, pilot test the model in drug courts in the Mid-Hudson region, and produce a guide for other New York drug courts to implement their own specialized programs for combat veterans. The goals of this project are: 1) to create safer Mid-Hudson communities by improving the drug courts' response to the special needs of combat veteran offenders, and 2) promote replication of the veterans' track model throughout New York State.

NCA/NCF