Veterans Treatment Court Strategic Plan Fact Sheet | May 2025

Read more about the Strategic Plan goals on page 2.

The Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) began the

VTC strategic planning process in 2022 with support from the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Center for Justice Innovation. The work included:

• convening strategic partners;

• developing a needs assessment; and

• drafting a strategic plan.

Published in 2023, the plan includes seven goals and recognizes:

• the unique impacts military service may have on justice-involved service members; and

• the need to provide greater access to treatment court programming tailored to service member participants.

1. Improve and enhance access to VTCs.

2. Expand VTC participant identification, referral options, and eligibility criteria.

3. Continue education of judges, district attorneys, and defense attorneys on the provisions of ORS

135.985 and the legal incentives for VTC program participation.

4. Develop and maintain VTC data standards.

5. Create a repository of SMV and treatment court resources through community mapping.

6. Develop SMV-specific training and facilitate peer-to-peer connections through state and federal partnerships.

7. Develop a statewide VTC mentor program.

About the VTC Strategic Plan

Plan Goals

The Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded

OJD a four-year $2.5 million grant in

October 2024. The grant supports implementation of key components of the strategic plan, including:

• enhancement and expansion of VTCs in

Oregon;

• early identification and screening of potential VTC participants;

• exploration of cost-effective models to increase statewide access to VTCs; and

• training and technical assistance to improve and sustain VTC programming.

Plan Implementation

Veterans Treatment Courts Known as VTCs, these evidence-based programs serve eligible justice-involved

Service Members and Veterans (SMV) with substance use disorders, mental health disorders, or trauma.

Attachment N - Veterans Treatment Court Strategic Plan Fact Sheet OJD RFP No. 19800-00014538

Learn more about Oregon Veterans Treatment Courts:

sca.esd.treatment.court.staff@ojd.state.or.us

The plan’s seven goals reflect OJD’s commitment to engaging statewide partners to enhance and expand treatment court services to justice-involved Service Members and Veterans (SMV).

Veterans Treatment Court Strategic Plan Goals

Improve and enhance access to VTCs. Oregon currently has seven VTCs. Expanding coverage and broadening eligibility requirements will enable more SMV to access the resources and support offered through VTCs statewide.

Develop a statewide VTC mentor program. VTCs with active peer mentor programs express how important mentors can be to treatment court participants. A streamlined statewide mentor program could increase resources available to VTC programs while maintaining consistency and alignment with best practices.

Expand VTC participant identification, referral options, and eligibility criteria. Addressing current barriers to participation may increase referrals to existing VTCs. Barriers include narrow or unclear eligibility criteria, lack of awareness of VTCs, and challenges identifying potential

SMV participants.

Continue education of judges, district attorneys, and defense attorneys on the provisions of ORS 135.985 and the legal incentives for VTC program participation.

Enacted in 2019, this statute requires the court at the time of arraignment to inform individuals that, if they are a servicemember:

• they might be eligible for diversion, treatment programs, treatment courts, or mitigated sentences; and

• they should consult with their attorney about these options.

Develop and maintain VTC data standards. OJD maintains the statewide data system for treatment courts, which relies on the collection of timely and accurate data for the continuous improvement of VTCs.

Create a repository of SMV and treatment court resources through community mapping.

Identifying resources and service gaps can enhance the effectiveness, sustainability, and success of VTCs by promoting stronger collaboration with partner agencies and more-efficient allocation of resources.

Develop SMV-specific training and facilitate peer-to-peer connections through state and federal partnerships. Team-focused training will help staff develop common language and approaches to challenges. New and experienced VTC programs will benefit from continuous training and problem-solving workshops in collaboration with VTCs across the state.

Attachment N - Veterans Treatment Court Strategic Plan Fact Sheet OJD RFP No. 19800-00014538