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Veterans Treatment Docket
The Greater Prince William Veterans Treatment Docket (VTD) program is an evidenced-based program that transforms how the justice system identifies, assesses, and treats our veterans by ensuring no veteran is left behind. Veterans must have a diagnosed mental health and/or substance use disorder. Veterans who volunteer to enter this program will be referred to programs like the Prince William County Community Services, Veteran Employment Commission, Virginia Department of Veteran Services, and Veterans Health Administration.
In doing so, we keep veterans out of jail and prison and connect them to benefits and treatment they have earned, all while saving tax dollars for the American public.
Before entering the VTD all Veterans must be assessed for their risk, need, and responsivity level by Criminal Justice Services. Veterans will then attend a clinical assessment with Community Services.
Veterans are required to be alcohol and drug-free for the entirety of the program.
The Mission: Of the 178,000 veterans living in Northern Virginia, more than 48,000 reside in Prince William County (per the U.S. Census Bureau, 2020). Veterans face unique needs and challenges. It is estimated that 1 in 15 Veterans have substance use treatment needs, and a significant number are diagnosed with co-occurring mental health disorders including PTSD, TBI and/or have experienced military sexual trauma. Currently, it is estimated that 22 veterans commit suicide a day. These unique challenges have caused many veterans to become entangled in the criminal justice system. Individuals who have Honorably Served our Nation in the military deserve the same opportunities for assistance and care that was afforded to them on Active Duty.
History: The Greater Prince William Veterans Treatment Docket includes the Prince William County General District (GDC) and Juvenile and Domestic Relations (JDR) Courts. The Prince William General District Court has been operating since 2020. The Virginia Supreme Court approved the plan for a GDC and JDR docket in 2019.
The Program: Veterans must meet legal, demographic and treatment eligibility requirements to be accepted into the Veterans Treatment Docket. These include:
- Must have a criminal charge that is under the jurisdiction of the Prince William General District Court, or Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. Misdemeanor or felony level offenses are accepted with prosecutorial consent.
- Honorably discharged from any branch of the United States Military, including the Reserves and National Guard components.
- Active-Duty members and command must contact the Docket Coordinator directly.
- General and OTH Veterans must submit their DD-214 member 4.
- Reserves and National Guard must also include their “End of Service Award.”
- At a minimum- Veterans must have completed basic training and reported to their first duty station.
- Medically retired Veterans time in service can be waived.
- Can reside outside of Prince William County, Virginia, if the distance to VTD requirements is reasonable and does not pose a barrier to participation.
- Eligible to receive behavioral health services through the Department of Veterans Affairs and/or the Greater Prince William Community Services Board.
- Meet with the Veterans Treatment Docket Coordinator to assess:
- Treatment Eligibility: Meets the DSM-5 criteria for major mental health and/or substance use disorder.
- Scores high treatment needs (HN) on the Risk and Needs Triage (RANT) assessment tool.
- Must have identified treatment needs that can be met by program and willingness to engage in services provided
- Must be able to attend VTD hearings every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 3:00 pm.
- Counsel or defendants who meet the minimum requirements may submit a referral.
Veteran Mentors: A key “force multiplier” of the VTD is a group of volunteer Veterans who serve as Mentors to the members of the Docket. The Mentors support the Docket by providing their fellow Veterans a “battle buddy” or coach to support them while they are engaged in the treatment program. They provide a mature and encouraging voice to enable the Veterans to achieve successful outcomes while enrolled in the VTD. The Mentor Component of the GPW VTD was formerly established in 2022 and currently has seven active veteran mentors. If a Veteran would like to join the Veteran Mentor Team they can see this volunteer job posting- Volunteer Veteran Mentor.