SW MO Veterans Treatment Court recognized as mentor court

By: 
Steve Chapman

The Southwest Missouri Veterans Treatment Court has been awarded a special distinction. It was recently named just one of five national mentor courts in the United States by Justice for Vets, a division of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and the U.S. Department of Justice, according to a press release from the SMVTC.
According to the press release, national mentor courts play a highly critical role in the development of new treatment courts.
“National mentor courts are exemplary veterans treatment courts selected to serve a three-year term as model programs to assist new or growing courts,” the release stated. “These top-tier programs follow evidence-based best practices and play a significant role in national training, technical assistance and research efforts.”
During its tenure as a mentor court, the SMVTC will take a leading role in helping other veteran treatment courts provide assistance to the veterans they serve.
“As part of the mentor court network for 2022-2024, the (SMVTC) will help develop, identify and test national best practices and provide technical assistance to jurisdictions interested (in) implementing a veterans treatment court, including hosting site visits by team members from other jurisdictions around the country,” the press release stated, adding that all visits in 2022 would be virtual.
Carolyn Hardin, NADCP chief of training and research, praised the SMVTC for its accomplishment in being named a mentor court.
“It is a great honor to recognize this court as one of only five mentor courts in the country,” she was quoted as saying in the press release. “This program is a shining example of serving those who have served us and ensuring our military veterans and service members receive the treatment and benefits they have earned. As a mentor court, this program is helping to transform our justice system and leading veterans who might otherwise be incarcerated into lives of hope and healing.”
The SMVTC was established in October of 2013 by Judge Scott Sifferman and is based in the Lawrence County Justice Center in Mt. Vernon. The treatment court received an award during a ceremony on Thursday, May 5, at the New Testament Christian Church, in Reeds Spring.
 

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Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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