photo of: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Justice Amy Hanley is pictured during a public reading of the U.S. Constitution on September 23, 2024.

Douglas County District Court received a $1 million federal grant to create a program to promote public safety for people involved in the criminal justice system who have mental health or substance abuse issues related to their military service.

The program, which will establish a new specialized court for the treatment of veterans, is expected to provide an interagency, collaborative, non-adversarial treatment strategy for veterans of the criminal justice system, and it will begin next year with Amy Hanley as presiding judge .

The Douglas County program will be the sixth veterans treatment court in Kansas. The court aims to reduce recidivism by addressing the unique challenges faced by veterans in conflict with the law. A recent Justice Department investigation found that about 60 percent of the 140,000 veterans incarcerated in federal and state prisons suffered from substance use disorders, while about 25 percent admitted to being under the influence. influence of drugs at the time of their offense.

“Veterans face many challenges. Every time we help a veteran with the support they need to return to a law-abiding lifestyle, the benefits trickle down to their family and our community,” Hanley said in a county news release. “I care deeply about those who have served our country in the military. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this life-changing program.

The grant, from the Bureau of Justice Assistance FY24 Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program, is made possible through an agreement between the Kansas Supreme Court Office of Judicial Administration and the Seventh Judicial District. It covers the period from October 2024 to September 2029.

According to the release, the fundamental principle of the Veterans Treatment Court is evidence-based early intervention and intensive treatment aimed at bringing about positive change for both individuals and the community. Early intervention has been shown to reduce health care and Medicaid costs, reduce hospitalizations, minimize time spent on complex treatment and supervision, decrease incarcerations, and increase productivity of participants, the press release indicates.

The Douglas County program will include screening, referral and eligibility policies. It will operate in five phases over a minimum duration of 12 to 18 months, using evidence-based supervision practices and setting graduation requirements.

The program will be similar to the county’s existing specialty courts, including Behavioral Health Court and Drug Court. Since its inception in 2017, 78 people have graduated from the Behavioral Health Court and 28 have completed the Drug Court program, which began in 2020.

Many graduates have publicly described these programs as “life-changing” for themselves and their families. A 2024 Drug Court graduate wrote: “It’s hard, it’s not easy, but the reward is priceless. It’s not just about getting your charges dropped or avoiding jail: it’s about getting your life back, a job, your family, a place to live, relationships, respect, money and a future.