Jude Prather Veterans Service Officer Hays County Veterans Court Program

Hays Country Judge Linda Rodriguez Hays County DA Sherri Tibbe Hays County Deputy Director, Lisa H. Pacheco, CSCD (Adult Probation) Hays County Sheriff Cutler and Capt. Cumberland Hays County Grants Administrator Jeff Hauff Hill Country MHDD Veteran Services Diane Brown Parties Involved

Feb 12, 2010: Hays County Veterans Task Force – recommends the creation of a Veterans Court June 4, 2013: Hays County Commissioner Court authorizes seeking Grant Applications for Veteran's Court Program and provides initial direction December 17, 2013: Two agenda items 1) Resolution to establish a Veterans’ Court Program in Hays County 2.) Memorandum of Understanding between participating Parties (Hays County, VA and Hill Country Community MHDD at Scheib ) Timeline

The Veterans’ Court Program is designed to provide mental health services and supervision to veterans with a diagnosed substance abuse and/or mental health problem. It is not a get out jail free card The primary goals of the program include: (1) improvising access to needed treatment and services for jailed veterans; (2) improvement in long-term recovery and community reintegration; and (3) a reduction in jail costs and recidivism. Program Summary

Be a veteran with an honorable discharge or general discharge (under honorable conditions), on active duty, or in the Reserves or National Guard; Have a misdemeanor offense, Be a resident of Hays County or adjacent county; Have a mental illness, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and/or substance abuse diagnosis that resulted from military service in a combat zone or other similar hazardous duty area and that is directly related to the criminal offense; The Courts has final approval for eligibility. Eligibility Criteria The Defendant must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

Sheriff Department’s “Hays County Veteran Jail Surveys” From April 20- Sept 30; –60 Arrested Veterans Eligible for Veterans Court: Twenty-two (22 or 37%) of the 60 (served in Combat and type of offence) A majority (40 or 67%) of arrested veterans surveyed have not obtained VA services Identifying Eligible Veterans

The Veteran would be in our Court System, with or with out the Veteran’s Court Program. Grant Funding for additional staff Additional Staff –Veterans Court Case Manager – Criminal Justice Division (CJD) of the Governor's Office Grant; this grant application must be submitted by February 28 and the grant period – if awarded – runs from Sept. 1, 2014 through August 31, Until then “Soft Launch” of the Veteran’s Court Program utilizing current resources Program Cost

Conclusion Veteran’s Courts are successful Veteran’s Courts honor service Veteran’s Courts by State Law can be established with the approval of the Commissioners Court