Buffalo Veterans Treatment Court Mentor program Judge Robert T. Russell Presiding Veterans’ Treatment Court Judge Jack O’Connor Hank Pirowski Jason Jaskula Jim Mulderig Mike Lancer Coordinator, Veteran Mentors Court Coordinator Mentor Team Leaders
Veteran Mentors Motto “Leave No Veteran Behind”
MISSION STATEMENT • ENSURE THAT EVERY VETERAN RECEIVES THE SERVICES NEEDED TO NAVIGATE THE COURT,VA,AND OTHER SYSTEMS. THE MENTOR ALSO ACTS AS A FRIEND ,ALLY AND ADVOCATE
GOALS OF PROGRAM • HELP VETERAN NAVIGATE THE COURT,VA AND TREATMENT SYSTEMS • ASSESS HIS “OTHER”NEEDS AND HELP HIM ADJUST TO CIVILIAN LIFE • HELP THE VETERAN AND HIS FAMILY RECEIVE THE SERVICES THEY NEED TO BE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY
Veteran Mentors Role • Coach • Facilitator • Advisor • Sponsor • Supporter • Friend
VETERAN MENTOR COORDINATOR • RECRUIT,TRAIN,SUPERVISE, AND COORDINATE MENTORS • DEVELOP AND TRAIN TEAM LEADERS • ACT AS LIASION BETWEEN THE JUDGE, COURT COORDINATOR , AND VA IF NEEDED • MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH COURT,VA AND ALL SERVICE ORG.(VFW,VVA,AMVETS,ETC) IN AREA • SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES IN AREA
MENTOR TEAM LEADER • SUPERVISERS GROUP OF 10-15 MENTORS • ASSIGNS MENTORS TO DEFENDENTS DURING COURT SESSIONS • WORKS CLOSELY WITH MENTOR COORDINATOR EXAMPLES • WORKS CLOSELY WITH COURT COORDINATOR ON ISSUES RELATED TO COURT /TREATMENT PLAN • WORKS CLOSELY WITH VA AND VBA REP IN COURT EXAMPLES • • HELPS TRAIN AND GUIDE NEW MENTORS WITH MENTOR COORDINATOR
MENTOR QUALITIES • ACTIVE LISTENER • EMPATHETIC • ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTIVE • TOLERANT AND RESPECTFUL OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES • KNOWLEDGE OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SERVICES • KNOWLEDGE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
MAKE-UP OF MENTOR GROUP • ALL ARE VETERAN ADVOCATES • AT LEAST 2 ACCREDITATED SERVICE OFFICERS AT EACH SESSION • MEN AND WOMEN AT LEAST 2 WOMEN AT EACH SESSION • VIETNAM TO OEF/OIF • YOUNG MEN/WOMEN FROM OEF/OIF OUR BIGGEST NEED • FAMILY ASSISTANCE STAFF FROM RESERVES/GUARD UNITS • DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN COURT OR PHONE CONTACT • COUNTY AND STATE VETERANS OFFICE IN COURT OR BY PHONE • SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS (VFW-VVA-AMVETS-ETC) ALWAYS PRESENT • VET CENTER, VETERAN HOMELESS PROGRAM AND VETERAN POLICE OFFICER
MENTOR PROFESSIONS • POLICE • SCHOOL TEACHERS • SOCIAL WORKERS • LAWYERS • PRIVATE BUSINESS • STUDENTS • LABOR • VETS CENTER • VETERANS HOMELESS PROGRAM • NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVES INCLUDIND FAMILY ASSISTANCE OFFICIERS FROM EACH • SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS VVA-AMVETS,VFW ETC • RELIGIOUS
MENTORING POLICIES • RECRUITMENT • ELIGIBILITY • SCREENING POLICY • TRAINING • ASSIGNMENT OF MENTOR(S) TO VETERAN • DOCUMENTATION AND RECORD KEEPING • RECOGNITION AND AWARDS TO MENTORS • UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR
The mentoring interview • First interview-- match up mentor/mentee • Be supportive “hi how are you doing” • You are not a counselor or lawyer • May take weeks/months to link • Subsequent interviews may have multiple mentors or others (ex VA- vets center-etc) Depending on on-going issues of veteran • Develop mentor/court resource manual • Interviews documented in Mentor/Veteran Book
V.A. Health Care Worker • Tamekia Slaughter, Social Worker VJO • Obtaining VA Releases of Information • Facilitating VA linkages for services • Coordinating and providing VA status report regarding Tx, toxs, appointments, etc. • Case management & crisis management
Department of Veterans Affairs • Carly Klein and Tim Philo investigate Claim status • Correct errors in DD 214 • Work closely with ” Accredited Service Officier” who is working on Veterans claim
RESOURSE BOOK • NAMES, PHONE NUMBERS*, AND SPECIALTIES OF ALL MENTORS • NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS (SOCIAL SERVICES,VETERANS SERVICES, ETC) • LEGAL SERVICES REFERRAL LIST • JOBS FOR VETS • ETC,ETC,ETC
Veterans /Mentor Book • This book is a ongoing document of the interaction between the Mentor and the veteran • Any mentor can pick up the book and read what is happening with Veteran and previous mentors • Book has Military backround of veteran • Each visit is documented and lists Goals,accomplishments,ongoing issues and challenges that the Vet is experiencing • Book is kept under lock and key •
MENTOR FUND • 501 C3 ACCOUNT BALANCE OF AROUND $6,000. • Bus Tokens and Bus Passes • Rent or morghage to avoid evictions • Small appliances of furniture • Money is contributed by Individuals,,Service organizations and others • •
‘‘Services, Education, and Rehabilitation for Veterans Act’’ or the ‘‘SERV Act’’. • S. 3379: Introduced July 31, 2008 by Senators KERRY (MA.), Ms. MURKOWSKI (AK) and Mr. DURBIN (IL.), which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary • H. R. 7149: Introduced SEPTEMBER 26 , 2008 by Congresspersons KENNEDY (R.I.), Mr. HIGGINS (N.Y.), and Ms. SUTTON (OH.) which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. -Grants for Veterans Treatment Courts-
CONTACT INFORMATION JACK O’CONNOR, Mentor Coordinator. 716-858-7345
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