Shelby county veterans treatment court (scvtc) enhancement project - in conjunction with downtown memphis ministry, INC., DBA first step recovery centers, the shelby county veterans treatment court…

Shelby county veterans treatment court (scvtc) enhancement project - in conjunction with downtown memphis ministry, INC., DBA first step recovery centers, the shelby county veterans treatment court (scvtc) will enhance program services offered to participants to provide new therapeutic opportunities, recovery supports and harm reduction strategies to veterans. Located in memphis, tennessee, the shelby county veterans treatment court has the benefit of the veterans administration (VA) hospital being nearby, however not all services are available to all program participants. 35-40% of participants entering the program are not VA-eligible. Individuals may not be eligible for these benefits for a variety of reasons, including length of service and discharge status. This means that services to support them in their recovery must be identified through community partners and collaboration. The scvtc program, between SFYS16-20, had two hundred and sixty (260) participants successfully complete the program. While program completion rates have been greater than 75% most years, according to the SFY2020 outcomes report, program completions have been declining and neutral dispositions increasing over the five-year period. Of those who terminated from programming, most were for treatment non-compliance (26%), followed by absconding (22%), rearrest (22%), and other court non-compliance (22%). While the overall program outcomes are positive, there is a desire among program staff to enhance the services offered to participants. Enhancing the treatment services, therapies, case management, and resources the program has available to all veterans treatment court participants, but especially those who are ineligible for VA benefits, would further improve individual recovery capital and opportunities for veterans to be successful beyond the VTC. The overarching purpose of the shelby county veterans treatment court enhancement project is increase therapy and recovery support opportunities available to veterans in the treatment court, offer new types of services concurrent with the current programming, and expand community partnerships to increase available services and resources to veterans. To that end, the proposed project has three goals: 1) improve access, service use, and outcomes for veteran participants in the shelby county veterans treatment court; 2) promote sobriety, recovery, and stability for veterans in need by providing substance abuse and mental health treatment coupled with and/or academic and vocational skill-building services; and 3) engage in community education and partnership efforts to develop shared understanding and foster a spirit of commitment and collaboration with the veterans administration, treatment providers, volunteer mentors, the criminal justice system, and other organizations. To help achieve those goals, the project has several key objectives: 1) increase the treatment and individual counseling options available to program participants, especially those who are not eligible for services at the VA; 2) provide therapeutic and prosocial activities to veterans through therapies, such as art and music therapy, equine therapy, service dogs, and nutritional education; and 3) identify new partners for collaboration to provide services and resources to veterans in the treatment court. Both quantitative and qualitative data will be collected throughout the life of the program, and a process, impact and outcome evaluation will be conducted.