Local Veterans Treatment Court holds graduation ceremony for veterans

"At our Veterans Treatment Court graduations, we recognize the successful efforts of our veteran participants in overcoming problems resulting from their military service. Veterans Treatment Courts are designed to serve justice involved veterans," according to Judge Scott Sifferman.
Significant numbers of justice involved veterans experience challenges with substance abuse issues, Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), major depression, traumatic brain injury, co-occurring disorders and/or mental health challenges. Veterans Treatment Courts help the veterans address legal issues while providing resources and interventions that facilitate successful recovery outcomes.
The SW MO Veterans Treatment Court team includes Judge Scott Sifferman, court administrator Christina Fortner, Veterans Justice Officer Marcy VanDeBerg, probation officer J. R. Wolfe, prosecuting attorney Don Trotter, defense attorney Randee Stemmons, treatment providers from the VA, Clark Center and Alliance, trackers from the sheriff's department and veteran mentors from the community.
The SW MO Veterans Treatment Court serves justice involved veterans from Lawrence, Barry, Stone, Taney and Dade counties and has been in operation since October 2013. Judge Sifferman said that "by combining the accountability of the Court with appropriate treatment resources through a treatment court team of talented professionals working together, we restore our veterans to productive, healthy and stable substance free lives. We believe in giving a second chance to veterans who have lost their way. Our veterans served us and now it's our time to serve them."