Now totaling 15 graduates, the fourth class from the Cobb County Veterans Court will graduate Oct. 13 with completion of the 18-month intensive treatment program.
“On average, one veteran is arrested daily in Cobb County,” the court’s Presiding Judge Reuben Green said. “Many of these veterans have sacrificed greatly for our country and are suffering from post-service issues that have not been addressed or treated.”
In 2014, the Cobb Veterans Court joined a nationwide surge of accountability courts that are tailored specifically for veterans. These courts address post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and other mental health issues via counseling, job training and additional needed services to achieve success for veterans.
The court’s mission is to increase public safety by reducing recidivism, alleviate the tax burden of incarcerating law-breaking veterans by assisting participants to become productive taxpayers instead of inmates, provide intensive case management to address mental health issues and offer the familiarity of structure and accountability.
An estimated 774,464 veterans reside in Georgia with 47,000 of them living in Cobb County, according to a county statement. Locally, 4,500 active duty/reservists are assigned to Dobbins Air Reserve Base.
With the Atlanta VA, Cobb Veterans Court participants receive alcohol and drug treatment in Decatur and are given additional treatment via WestCare on Roswell Street.
When a participant is stable in his or her recovery and treatment, the assigned court team addresses other issues for the veteran such as unemployment, lack of stable housing, the need for continuing education or the benefits of family counseling. Each veteran also is paired with a court mentor who understands the challenges encountered by his or her assigned veteran to succeed in the program and graduate. Veterans Court mentors must be honorably discharged from military service, have no prior criminal record and be willing to commit to assisting at least one veteran for the entirety of the 18-month VTC program.
Information: Flynn Broady at 770-528-7988 or flynn.broady@CobbCounty.org.
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