Veterans Treatment Court
A Veterans Treatment Court serves veterans struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, mental health issues or co-occurring disorders. The court promotes sobriety, recovery and stability through a coordinated response. It involves a team of professionals and volunteer veteran peer mentors to support participant success.
The Veterans Treatment Court is about a 12-24-month program. The program involves ongoing judicial supervision and enhanced probation supervision with input from a multi-disciplinary team of professionals led by the judge.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility is evaluated by the Veterans Treatment Court team on a case-by-case basis. General requirements include:
- Service in the U.S. Armed Forces
- Charged in Dakota County with a misdemeanor criminal offense or greater
- Resides or works within Dakota County
- Experiencing a treatable behavioral, mental health and chemical health problem
Please contact the Veterans Treatment Court Coordinator Katie Shufelt at 651-554-6239 for more information.
Mentor program
Veteran Peer Mentors are an integral component to the Veterans Treatment Court by providing one-on-one support to veteran participants. Mentors provide a positive personal connection and encouragement to seek services and resources that promote participants' success.
Duties & responsibilities
- Act as a coach, guide, role model, advocate and a source of support for the veteran participant with whom the mentor is working with through the court system.
- Assist the veteran participant in setting personal goals and help connect them with community resources that will help the participant in their treatment, recovery and readjustment efforts.
- Establish and maintain frequent communication with assigned veteran participant to provide on-going support and encouragement.
- Maintain appropriate boundaries and help the veteran participant to do the same.
- Be a willing and active listener.
- Attend scheduled court hearings when possible, with assigned veteran participant.
To learn more about becoming a Veteran Peer Mentor, please visit the Dakota County Veteran Peer Mentor Volunteer page. Interested volunteers must apply online.