Collaborative Courts are comprised of multi-disciplinary teams, who work to be responsive to the needs of the participants. They allow participants an opportunity to participate in evidence based treatment models as an alternative to traditional court processing. This week, in honor of Veterans Day, we are highlighting Veterans Treatment Court success stories from several counties. 

SACRAMENTO COUNTY PROBATION:

While post-traumatic stress disorder affects millions of people, veterans suffer at higher rates than civilians, three times more for those who were deployed. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 11-20% of veterans who served in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have PTSD in a given year. Approximately 12% of Gulf War veterans and an estimated 30% of Vietnam Veterans struggle with PTSD. Symptoms include persistent flashbacks or nightmares, difficulty with emotional regulation, particularly anger management, and reckless or self-destructive behavior. Through California’s Veterans’ Treatment Court, veterans facing criminal charges may be eligible for treatment rather than punishment.

“The most common [struggle] for vets is PTSD [and] TBIs, which are traumatic brain injuries, just from service. That can turn into addictions, can turn into anger issues, and those can turn into other criminal activities if it goes far enough,” says Kevin Cadena, senior deputy probation officer with Sacramento County.

In 2014, Sacramento County created its own Veterans’ Treatment Court, combining the efforts of judges, district attorneys, the VA and probation to connect veterans with mental health and counseling services, housing and employment assistance. 

“It doesn’t matter what they came into the program for, we accept them because they’re veterans. Between the efforts of Veterans’ Treatment Court and the network of connections I’ve built in the community, we all care about the veteran, person first, and then we can work on everything else.”

A 25-year Army veteran himself, Cadena knows firsthand the struggles veterans face.

“I’ve been told by a lot of vets how easy it was to connect with me,” he says. “I explain to them that I’ve had combat tours, I went through my own traumas. I don’t get into detail what I’ve gone through, but they understand that it happens to everybody. It created a little more instantaneous trust and from there I can build anything.”

The goal of Veterans’ Treatment Court is to address the underlying issues at hand in the hopes of getting those who have served their country back on their feet. 

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY PROBATION: 

The Veterans Court in the Santa Barbara County Probation Department has successfully helped a client named Kevin. Kevin has completely changed his way of life and has consistently maintained a healthier lifestyle. Kevin was interviewed with his current and former probation officers about his journey and how the relationships built between client and officer helped him achieve success.

Kevin – former client

Kevin expressed how grateful he is for the guidance he received from both Deputy PO Gerue and Deputy PO Medina. The impact Deputy PO’s Gerue and Medina have made on Kevin’s life will never be forgotten.

Kevin said, “both DPO Gerue and DPO Medina made themselves available to me and have been open to talking about anything I wanted to talk about. They both encouraged me to stay positive, ‘keep my head up’, and not worry about things out of my control. I trusted both of them… Both POs told me I could reach out to them anytime, and reassured [me] they would be available for me and that things would work out for the best.”

Deputy Probation Officer Gerue

Kevin’s Former Probation Officer, Deputy Probation Officer Gerue said, “when we first started working with Kevin, he and his girlfriend were new parents without housing, employment, or local family support… Through the various programs offered through VTC (Veterans Treatment Court), Kevin was able to acquire housing for his family…and treatment through therapy… [veterans] won’t fit into a cookie cutter program and each needs to be treated as an individual. Above all when working with veterans one must remember, they are veterans, and respecting them and honoring them as such goes a long way in developing a constructive relationship.”

Deputy Probation Officer Medina

“[Kevin] had such a strong rapport with the treatment team and his former probation officer that Kevin was willing to work with me at the onset of our first meeting. I maintained an open line of communication with Kevin and reassured him that the treatment team, probation, and I were all here to help support him. The more positive feedback and praise Kevin received, the more he was willing to work with our treatment providers. When a client knows you are investing time to hear their stories and struggles, I feel they are more inclined to listen to your advice and know Probation is working with them to better their lives,” said Deputy PO Medina, Kevin’s current officer.

Research indicates the quality of the officer-client relationship is a predictor of success on supervision.

BUTTE COUNTY PROBATION:

The Butte County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) is a voluntary, Court-supervised program designed to offer justice-involved veterans an opportunity to participate in a treatment-based model as an alternative to traditional Court processing. The VTC is comprised of justice partners, veterans services groups, and community-based organizations who work together to create a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach to treatment that is responsive to the needs of the Veteran and the community.

Veterans continue fighting even after their military service has ended as they struggle with substance abuse, mental health, and reintegrating into civilian life. With the help of the Veterans Treatment Court team, these veterans complete an intensive treatment program and period of probation supervision lasting a minimum of  12  months. Graduates fight hard to address their needs, complete the program, and have achieved a tremendous accomplishment. 

The Butte County Veterans Treatment Court has graduated over 20 veterans from their program.

Some of the graduates include:

• Christopher Claxton, a United States Marine Corps member from 2006-2010, Iraq War Veteran, completed innovative restorative programs and reached educational achievements.   
• Jeremy Bailey, a United States Army member from 2008-2014, Iraq and Afghanistan War Veteran, completed educational achievements at Butte College and plans to use his creativity with a career in graphic design. 
• Zak Schulps, a United States Marine Corps member from 1988-1991, Gulf War Veteran, is a local business owner, completed innovative restorative programs.  
• Randy Cook, served in the U.S. Marine Corps Special Forces during the Vietnam War, arriving when he was 17 and facing combat as soon as he turned 18; now 68, he still faced demons from those dark days, but since has graduated, bought a home, and got engaged. 
• Brian Dudley, an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran, was facing a possible prison sentence for felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon and misdemeanor Driving Under the Influence. October 2020 marked the graduation of Mr. Dudley from the Butte County Veterans Treatment Court.
• Richard Hubbell, an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran, was also facing a possible prison sentence for felony Driving Under the Influence. In October 2020, Mr. Hubbell successfully graduated from the Butte County Veterans Treatment Court.

Probation Officers who are a part of collaborative Court teams have additional responsibilities than other officers. They have regular team meetings, more Court appearances, and additional assessments and other paperwork to be completed.

California Probation Departments are fortunate to have officers that are willing to put in the extra work to help all participants succeed and make changes for the betterment of themselves and the community.