Page 50 - Vets-Guide

Homeless Veterans Programs & Services
Sometimes your rst step is just getting your feet on the ground
Veteran Justice Outreach
Initiative (VJO) and Veterans Treatment Court
he Veteran Justice Outreach Initiative (VJO) is a VA initiative that works to avoid the unnecessary criminalization of mental illness and extended incarceration among veterans by ensuring that
eligible justice-involved veterans have timely access to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) mental health and substance abuse services when clinically indicated, and other VA services and bene ts as appropriate Each VA Medical Center has a justice outreach specialist VJO specialists serve as a link between veterans, the VA, and the local justice system, and provide services to veterans who are in jail or prison, as well as justice-involved veterans who have not been imprisoned VJO sta also work with the courts to help eligible justice-involved veterans get mental health services ese may include assessment, treatment planning, and referrals to VA services Specialists inform
o cers of the court about whether a veteran is complying with VA treatment programs ey may also assist in training law enforcement o cers about PTSD or traumatic brain injury New Mexico’s VJO specialists are located at:
New Mexico’s Veterans Treatment Court is part of the 2nd Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. For more information, contact the 2nd Judicial Court at 505-841-5463.
New Mexico VA Health Care System Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center 1501 San Pedro SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108 505-265-1711 or 800-465-8262 http://www albuquerque va gov
An additional service to veterans involved in the justice system is the Veterans Treatment Court Each Veterans Treatment Court is part of a community’s justice system Veterans charged with non-violent crimes and who are in need of mental health or substance abuse treatment may go to treat- ment court, which allows for treatment of mental health issues without incarceration Veterans who choose treatment court are assessed by a mental health care provider who identi es the veteran’s treatment needs Most veterans receive treatment through the VA network, and they are allowed to remain in the community A judge regularly checks on progress while the veteran is in treatment Veterans are also provided with mentors who are other veteran volunteers who provide fur- ther support for those in the program
Stand Downs
Stand Downs are one part of VA’s e orts to provide services to homeless veterans Stand Downs are typically one to three day events providing services to homeless veterans such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings, VA and Social Security bene ts counseling, and referrals to a variety of other necessary services, such as housing, employment and substance abuse treatment Stand Downs are collaborative events, coordinated between local VAs, other government agencies (including the Department of Workforce Solutions), and community agencies who serve the homeless
VA Homeless Veterans Assistance
e VA provides a variety of assistance to the nation’s homeless veterans Assistance is provided through programs such as housing support services, medical and dental treatment, employment and job training through the CWT, and bene t assistance For more information on assistance provided through the VA, visit www va gov/ HOMELESS or contact your LVER/
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DVOP specialist