The National Institute of Corrections and the Bureau of Justice Assistance have partnered with the Justice Programs Office (JPO) to develop and administer training and technical assistance for specialized screening, assessment, and case planning tools for veterans treatment courts (VTCs). The first phase of VTC Enhancement Initiative produced three new VTC-specific tools (a short screener, a comprehensive risk-need assessment, and a case planning protocol) to meet the special needs of veterans in contact with the criminal justice system by incorporating the latest research on trauma, substance-use disorders, and other issues affecting veterans.

In addition to developing a training and technical assistance program for the new VTC-specific tools, JPO staff will be overseeing a solicitation process to select up to four VTCs interested in receiving on-site and remote training and technical assistance to learn how to implement the tools with fidelity. JPO staff will work with each pilot court to integrate the tools into existing court procedures and practices and provide ongoing technical assistance to address any implementation issues that arise.

Project Contact Information

Dr. Julie Marie Baldwin
Associate Director for Research
Justice Programs Office, School of Public Affairs American University
4400 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20016-8159
Tel: (202) 885-2875
jbaldwin@american.edu