| Supreme Court Problem Solving Court Advisory Committee accredits 17th Judicial District’s Veterans Treatment Court |
Monday, February 3, 2020
DENVER – The Colorado Supreme Court recently accredited the 17th Judicial District’s Veterans Treatment Court for implementing outstanding evidence-based and proven practices. The Adams County-based treatment court is the first Veterans Treatment Court in the state to receive accreditation.
“We are pleased and honored to be presented with this designation,” Presiding Judge Brian N. Bowen said. “I am proud of the hard work and dedication our team and court participants have put forth to make this program successful.”
The court program is one of several in Colorado designed to serve as an alternative to incarceration for eligible military veterans confronting the criminal justice system and who have needs for treatment for substance abuse or disorders such as traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder that complicate their compliance with general probation or incarceration.
Eligible military veterans with trauma spectrum disorders and/or substance abuse issues may be diverted to the Adams County Veterans Court based upon the recommendation of a team that includes personnel from the 17th Judicial District courts and Probation Department, prosecutors, public defenders, local law enforcement and treatment professionals.
Participants, who enter the program voluntarily, also may receive no-charge brain screening for traumatic brain injury through collaboration with the University of Denver School of Professional Psychology.
The accreditation signifies that a court has proven a demonstrated fidelity to evidence-based and proven practices, and that its work is true to the fundamental practices for problem solving courts as outlined in the Colorado Problem Solving Court Standards for Veterans Treatment Courts.
To pursue accreditation, a program applies to the Colorado Problem Solving Court Advisory Committee for review. After submission, the Advisory Committee may conduct a site visit to the program and may request additional information from the applicant. Following a review of the application, additional questions and a site visit, the Committee votes on whether to recommend accreditation. The Committee’s recommendation to accredit a program is sent to the Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court for approval. Once approved by the Chief Justice, the accreditation lasts for five years, with subsequent re-accreditation every three years thereafter.
Nearly 80 problem-solving courts are in operation around Colorado including adult and juvenile drug courts, family treatment drug courts, DUI courts, adult and juvenile mental health courts, veteran treatment courts, and truancy courts. For more information on problem solving courts, or to review the description of the accreditation program or the accreditation application, readers can visit www.coloradoproblemsolvingcourts.org