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RETIRED JUSTICE EVELYN LUNDBERG STRATTON'S VETERANS' CRIMINAL JUSTICE & MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES NEWS
“Sharing Information to Benefit All Veterans”
August 13, 2017
Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton, Retired Veterans in the Courts Initiative
Evelyn Lundberg Stratton retired from the Ohio Supreme Court at the end of 2012 so as to pursue more fully criminal justice reforms with a particular emphasis on veterans who become involved with the justice system. She
established the Veterans in the Courts Initiative in 2009. Video http://bit.ly/1glCXZ0
Subscribe to this free weekly, all volunteer-generated, news summary by joining our Veterans in The Courts Initiative Group http://bit.ly/1DZ3esD
5,107 providers of veterans’ services just like you, nationwide & internationally, receive this free
newsletter every week. Another 18,000+ can see it on 5 social media sites. Over 5,900 people in 61 countries have viewed my blog over 11,000 times. Thank you for sharing!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC PAGE TOPIC PAGE
FEATURED STORIES 1 COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES 14
OPPORTUNITIES 2 GENERAL NEWS 16
GOVERNMENT 3 "VETERANS IN JUSTICE" LINKEDIN GROUP 17
OHIO 5 OTHER LINKEDIN GROUPS 17
STEPPING UP INITIATIVE 7 VETERANS IN THE COURTS INITIATIVE BLOG 18
VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS 9 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 18
PTS/TBI/MST 10 HOW TO JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER 18
SUICIDE 13
FEATURED STORIES
Breaking Down Mental Illness for Veterans and Non-Veterans by State, LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/2wTmIii, Downloadable PDF http://bit.ly/2wTmIii
This is a very detailed article posted on LinkedIn by Timothy Pena, Veteran’s Advocate for
Suicide Prevention and Founder of MedScanID.
There are mental illness related charts and spreadsheets by state, definitions, research
studies and articles.
RAND Corporation Research Final Report: Quality of Care for PTSD and Depression in the Military Health System, Downloadable PDF http://bit.ly/2wUTEXs
This report represents the third in a series of RAND reports about the quality of care for
PTSD and depression in the MHS.
At the request of DoD, the RAND Corporation initiated a project in 2012 to (1) provide a
descriptive baseline assessment of the extent to which providers in the MHS implement care
consistent with clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for PTSD and depression, and (2) examine
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the relationship between guideline-concordant care and clinical outcomes for these
conditions.
This report builds on two previous RAND reports, one that presented a set of quality
measures developed for care provided to active-component service members with PTSD and
depression (Hepner et al., 2015), and another that described characteristics of active-
component service members who received care for PTSD or depression from the MHS and
assessed the quality of care provided for PTSD and depression using quality measures based
on 2012–2013 administrative data (Hepner et al., 2016).
This report provides a more comprehensive assessment of MHS outpatient care for active-
component service members with PTSD and depression by including an expanded set of
quality measures and using two new sources of data, medical records and symptom
questionnaires.
As in Phase I, we focus in this report on active-component service members to increase the
likelihood that the care they received was provided or paid for by the MHS, rather than
other sources of health care.
Data from all three data sources were analyzed for the 2013–2014 time period—more
recent than the time period used for the analyses in our previous report, which was 2012–
2013 (Hepner et al., 2016).
We describe the characteristics of active-component service members who received care for
PTSD or depression from the MHS in 2013–2014 based on administrative data.
We also assess the quality of care provided for PTSD and depression using quality measures
based on three data sources for 2013–2014.
Finally, we explore the use of symptom scores in the MHS and the relationship between
adherence to guideline-concordant care and symptom scores; these analyses were limited
to Army personnel who were seen in military treatment facility (MTF) behavioral health
clinics, due to data availability.
OPPORTUNITIES
Mini-MBA: Business Management for Military and Veterans at Rutgers University (NJ), August 21st – 25th http://bit.ly/2wVcMEZ
The Mini-MBA: Business Management for Military and Veterans program offers
an overview of the key concepts, tools, and techniques that are required to succeed
in a challenging civilian business environment.
This program August 21 - 25, uniquely mixes veterans, transitioning military
personnel, and civilian employers in the same classroom to provide all with a better
understanding of how to capitalize upon years of military training, and how the
knowledge and skills gained apply to a civilian workplace.
Funding may be available for those eligible to receive GI Bill educational benefits.
Career Opportunity: Medical Laboratory Technician Associates Degree, 100% of the program is free to veterans, Hondros College of Nursing, Westerville, Ohio http://bit.ly/2wUHHB9
This is an associate degree program and will begin in October. We would love to
connect with someone who can get this information into the hands of veterans so
they can apply.
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There are 12 spots in the initial class that will receive full scholarships. 100% of
the program is free and who better to offer that to than our service men and
women.
Hondros College of Nursing is a leader in educating healthcare professionals. Now,
as an extension of their mission, they are launching an Associate of Applied
Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology.
Hondros College of Nursing is offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students in
the inaugural class to complete the program at no cost. Tuition, books, and fees
will be completely covered for this 18-month program.
This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in beginning or advancing a
career in medical laboratory technology. Please contact Lisa Swinderman, Director
of Admissions, at (937) 777-1020or [email protected] for details. Classes
begin October 9, and space is limited. Career Opportunity: Improve treatment for Veterans as a VA pharmacist http://bit.ly/2vZKxs4
Career opportunities for pharmacists are on the rise, particularly in hospital and
clinical settings. The growing demand reflects patients’ need for accurate
information, counsel and careful supervision throughout their treatment plan.
At VA, pharmacists play a key role in the health and wellness of our Veterans. And
investing in our pharmacists’ growth is one of the many ways we strive to improve
Veteran care.
College Job Announcements (Wester NY) http://bit.ly/2w1xdU6 Our good friend, Patrick W. Welch, PhD, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret), Veterans Advocate &
Educator, Buffalo Veterans Treatment Court - Senior Mentor, Higher Ground New York -
Director of Military Programs, sent us these college job announcements in Western NY.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Congress & Executive U.S. Senate Bill would name Billings VA clinics after Ben Steele, Joe Medicine Crow
Veterans gain education benefits for life under 'Forever' GI Bill
o Congress Just Made Huge Changes to the GI Bill. Here's What Matters Most for
Veterans
Congress Authorizes GWOT Memorial.
DoD
PBI Network Presents: Integrating Mobile Apps into Care
Wounded warriors' art therapy exhibit opens at DoD medical museum
Improve your mental health with time away from work
SAMHSA New Behavioral Health Barometer Reports Provide In-Depth, State-Level Data
CDC Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion Recovery
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VA Programs
VA Secretary Shulkin highlights accountability, Veterans Choice, VA reform, modernization -
#AMVETSconvention
@SecShulkin: "We have authorized over 15 million appointments for veterans."
Solving VA’s problems, one innovative idea at a time
Opinion: The need to reform compensation for veterans with mental health disabilities
VA staffing new White House VA Hotline Principally with Veterans
VA Wants its Doctors to Treat Veterans Anywhere With Telehealth
[Podcast] #43: Gary Profit – Army Veteran, Senior Director of Walmart Military Programs
MSPB forces VA to take back fired official, VA exploring all options under new accountability
authorities
VA Extends Funding to Groups Impacted By Grant and Per Diem Program Changes
The Parenting2Go App helps you with challenges unique to military families.
VA launched the Ask a Pharmacist app.
VA Research
VA’s chief neuropathologist discusses how study links NFL players with Veterans
@VAResearch assessed suicide prevention; sees promising evidence in WHO's "brief
intervention and contact program
VISN4 CHERP Pilot Projects FY18
VA’s Genetic Diagnostic Testing App, first of its kind, will help tailor care based on each
#Veteran’s genetics
Minneapolis VAHCS Dr. Lederle Receives Top VA Research Award
VA Facilities
New Orleans VAHCS Houma Town Hall, August 16th
Washington DC VAMC Veteran Town Hall, August 17th
Biloxi VA: Great news, Mobile vets! Groundbreaking for new VA clinic on August 17th
Lebanon VAMC @VAVetBenefits Claims & #Veterans Benefits Counseling onsite, August 17th
VANIHCS Fort Wayne Campus Town Hall, August 23rd
Atlanta VAHCS Community Town Hall, August 26th
Long Beach VAHCS Veterans Town Hall, September 26th
New Southern Indiana VA clinic brings comprehensive care to veterans
Cleveland VA: Dozens of Veterans received benefits due at first Veterans Experience Action
Center
Clarksburg VAMC Veteran X
Manchester VA Officials Removed, Reassigned to Regional Office. Manchester VA Partners with Catholic Medical Center.
VA Issues Mobile Cloud Services Infrastructure RFI.
VA OIG Reports Inspection of the VA Regional Office, New Orleans, Louisiana
Review of Alleged Failure of the National Work Queue To Perform in Production
Inspection of the VA Regional Office Atlanta, Georgia
Review of Alleged Delay of Care and Scheduling Issues at the VAMC in West Palm Beach, FL
Administrative Summary - Primary Care Access, Scheduling, and Consult Management
Concerns, Erie VA Medical Center, Erie, Pennsylvania
Review of VA’s Readiness To Implement the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act
Clinical Assessment Program Review of the Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, New
York Additional resources from my blog
LIST OF VA TOWN HALLS & OTHER MEETINGS NATIONWIDE: http://bit.ly/1Gg1DN6
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OHIO
Could Expand Statewide: Dozens of Veterans received benefits due at first Veterans Experience Action Center in Ohio http://on.wkyc.com/2vZvIWB
Editor’s Note: A veteran, who drove from Columbus to Parma and back, said he had a very
positive experience and was pleased with the action decided on his VA claim.
The Northeast Ohio Veterans Community Task Force Advisory Committee hosted the
Veterans Experience Action Center at Cuyahoga Community College, Tri-C, Western
Campus, 11000 W. Pleasant Valley Rd., Parma, Ohio Friday and Saturday, Aguste 11th and
12th
The Veterans Experience Action Center (VEAC), a collaboration between the Northeast Ohio
Veterans Community Task Force Advisory Committee, the VA, State and County
organizations, and the community, is a cooperative task force to assist, counsel, and
advocate resolution of individual issues immediately for Veterans and their families.
The first event of this kind in Ohio, the VEAC provided on-site claims & appeals assistance,
healthcare enrollment, wellness and enrollment medical exams, mental health counseling,
VA Women’s Health Services, VA G.I.V.E. (Gender Identity Veteran Experience) Clinic, 50th
Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration pinning, Homestead Exemption
assistance, Veteran ID cards, and other community related information and services.
Some of the local community collaborative partners included, Tri-C, American Red Cross,
United Way 2-1-1, and the Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission.
Assistance was provided in private face-to-face consultations with same day services in an
atmosphere of respect and dignity.
Ohio Board of Professional Conduct Concludes Dual Employment of Specialized Docket Employees Prohibited http://bit.ly/2vZJ7xR
The Board of Professional Conduct today issued an advisory opinion concerning the dual
employment of court employees in both a specialized drug court and a nonprofit drug
treatment center under contract with the court.
In Advisory Opinion 2017-6 the Board concludes that the dual employment is ordinarily
prohibited under the Ohio Ethics Law and raises issues under the Ohio Code of Judicial
Conduct. Such an employment arrangement creates a prohibited financial interest in a
public contract under R.C. 2921.42(A), unless the court employee is able to prove that the
exception in 2921.42(C) is satisfied. Under the judicial conduct code, the dual employment
can impact the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judge and raise an
appearance of impropriety that necessitates disqualification.
In response to a second question, the Board concludes that a court employee may not
engage in fundraising for the nonprofit drug treatment center. Citing an earlier Board
opinion and an opinion issued by the American Bar Association, the Board concludes that
the code prohibits a court employee from soliciting funds on behalf of a nonprofit
organization that contracts with the court to provide drug treatment services.
VVA Recognizes Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Judge Who Established Felony Veterans Treatment Court http://bit.ly/2vZGDQi
(New Orleans) – “Michael E. Jackson was a Marine lieutenant in Vietnam who called in
artillery strikes on his coordinates to save his company from being overrun. He returned
home, went to law school, and established a lucrative law practice in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Several years ago, Jackson ran for a judgeship in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, expressly to
establish a veterans treatment court so that veterans charged with felony offenses have an
alternative to incarceration,” said John Rowan, National President of VVA. “Many of these
troubled men and women warrant our best efforts to help them redeem their lives, and he is
exactly the type of veteran we are proud to honor.”
“After a three decades-long career as a corporate lawyer, and half a dozen years as an
assistant district attorney, Michael Jackson saw the need for a veterans’ court. He ran, he
won, and a year and a half later, in 2015, with the assent of the other judges on the Court
of Common Pleas, he was given the reins of the court he’d run to create,” Rowan said. “Just
as the decisions he made as an infantry officer affected the lives of others fifty years ago,
so, too, do the decisions he now makes from the bench affect the lives and the futures of
scores of justice-involved veterans.”
“Since Judge Robert Russell created what has become the model veterans treatment court
in 2008 in Erie County, New York, there are now more than 350 such courts in jurisdictions
across the country, with another hundred in various stages of development and
implementation,” Rowan noted. “There are now specialized housing units and programs, for
veterans incarcerated in jails and prisons, one of which Judge Jackson helped to establish,”
Rowan said. Central Ohio: New helmets for high school athletes meant to protect against head injuries http://bit.ly/2wTgZc2
Around central Ohio, high school football athletes turn up practice intensity just as new
research points to the toll those hard hits can take.
The new study looked at more than 200 former football players ranging in levels of
professional NFL to high school. Researchers found nearly 90 percent, or 177 of those
tested, suffered from CTE.
Those statistics are among the reasons local schools search for the best technology to keep
players safe. Some schools tell us they are investing in newer model helmets, built with
concussion prevention in mind.
Worthington Kilbourne High School Football Coach Vince Trombetti said he knows the hard
hits on the field can leave parents worried in the stands. He said those plays that involve
players' heads are what leave his district purchasing new helmets.
"We are taking all the steps we can to keep kids safe," said Trombetti.
He said he is glad Kilbourne is one of the first local high schools refitting some of its
student-athletes with newer high-tech helmets by Riddell called "Speedflex".
"The place where kids were taking the impact was on the crown of the head right here. So
what they've done is two things:
1. First, they have this cut out that has some give at the crown and the simple physics
say when you increase the amount of time of collision you decrease the force,"
Tombetti said.
2. "The number two reason we chose these new helmets is at the front. They used to
have the brackets that hold the facemask at the top. They found out when kids were
taking a hit those things kept pounding."
Additional resources from my blog
OPERATION LEGAL HELP OHIO http://bit.ly/1Gg0HbK
RESOURCES FOR VETERANS http://bit.ly/1Gg21LH
OHIO JOBS FOR VETERANS http://bit.ly/1CL3Ay0
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RESURRECTING LIVES FOUNDATION http://bit.ly/1R9toOV
EVENTS FOR OHIO VETERANS http://bit.ly/1Tx7tix
EVENTS FOR LAWYERS & OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR OHIO VETERANS http://bit.ly/2fQHYN7
RESOURCES FOR OHIO VETERANS http://bit.ly/2fQNEql
STEPPING UP INITIATIVE Editor’s Note: Closely associated with Veterans Treatment Courts and other specialty docket courts dealing with mental illness is the new STEEPING UP INITIATIVE. Stepping Up is a national initiative to reduce the number of people with mental illness in Jails.
Stepping Up and similar initiatives are an important evolution in the treatment of veterans and others incarcerated with mental illness. Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Evelyn Lundeberg Stratton (Retired) is the Director of Stepping Up Ohio. We have decided to create this new section of Retired Justice Stratton’s News Clips, rather than bury the stories somewhere else. We particularly wish to thank County Court Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren in The Criminal Division of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County of Florida, a Pioneer and Creator of America's first mental health court dedicated to the decriminalization of people with mental illness, for sending us news articles to share with you.
*****************************
Rewind: Excellent NACO Webinar re Stepping Up: Prioritizing Policy, Practice and Funding Improvements for People with Mental Illnesses in Jails http://bit.ly/2wS6p53
Editor’s Note: An Ohio Stepping Up Initiative participant listened to this NACO webinar
and recommends that everyone listen to the archived version.
NACO archives all of the webinars and slides at www.StepUpTogether.org/Toolkit under
each of the Questions tabs (the yellow boxes).
NACO said give us until Monday (August 14th) to load this one up online, and please feel
free to share any and all of the Stepping Up webinars.
Prioritizing Policy, Practice and Funding Improvements for People with Mental Illnesses in Jails
This webinar dealt with funding, priorities and planning ("implementation planning"), and not only did it give a detailed overview as an introduction of the topic, but also then a real "nuts and bolts" more lengthy presentation by real folks from a county in Washington state about what they actually have been doing step by step that was very practical and helpful with respect to these matters. It specifically addressed what to do about not having data to even start working with as well as many other real-life issues I have heard discussed that many people in Ohio have already been dealing with thus far, like drafting a workable definition of "serious mental illness."
Tthese webinars are an audio/visual "implementation plan" that are short and very informative.
"Attendees" can network with the presenters afterwards, too, as well as find related additional info on the website. The next one about "Question 6" is scheduled for October 12 at 2 pm.
EVENT: Webinar: Virtual-Mobile Crisis Intervention: The Springfield, MO Model, September 5th http://bit.ly/2vZTimb
On September 5, 2017, SAMHSA's GAINS Center will host a webinar providing information
on Springfield, Missouri's Virtual-Mobile Crisis Intervention model.
In 2012, Burrell Behavioral Health in Springfield identified a need to address the high cost
and inefficiencies of current models of crisis intervention.
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They collaborated with partners to create a solution: utilizing tablets with internet access to
connect law enforcement officers and individuals suspected of experiencing mental illness
with Burrell’s 24/7 Crisis Hotline using Skype.
The GAINS Center webinar will address the Virtual-Mobile Crisis Intervention model's
promising early results—including diversion from inpatient psychiatric hospitalization or
incarceration, engagement with behavioral health specialists, and time savings for law
enforcement—and provide information on additional components of the effort, including
officer training, data and outcomes monitoring, and the expansion of the program.
UC Berkeley Research: Specialty mental health probation means fewer rearrests http://bit.ly/2w1jGMo
Placing people with mental illness who have been arrested on “specialty mental health
probation” could lead to fewer rearrests than placing them on traditional probation, a new
study suggests.
Each year, some two million people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental
illnesses are arrested for various crimes, inadvertently turning the US correctional system
into the nation’s primary provider of inpatient psychiatric care. The new study, however,
may offer a partial solution.
Researchers studied the supervision and outcomes of 359 offenders with mental illness,
comparing those who had been placed on traditional probation against those on “specialty
mental health probation,” a program in which probation officers with mental health
expertise use a more individualized, treatment-oriented approach.
Their findings, published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association –
Psychiatry, show that 52 percent of traditional probationers were rearrested over a two-year
follow-up period, compared to 29 percent of specialty probationers.
“We found that specialty officers had better relationships with probationers, participated
more in probationers’ treatment, and relied more on positive compliance strategies than
traditional officers,” says study lead author Jennifer Skeem, a professor of social welfare
and of public policy at the University of California, Berkeley.
University of Arkansas Research: Arkansas First Responders Report Poor Mental Health, Seek Change http://bit.ly/2wTggYp
One in four first responders in Arkansas have PTSD, moderate to severe anxiety disorder, or
are at high risk for suicide, according to a statewide study currently underway surveying
the state's firefighters and paramedics.
Dr. Sara Jones is working on the study at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Jones says that, so far, she has had over 200 people participate in an anonymous survey on
the mental health consequences of being a first responder.
Twenty-one first responders have participated in in-person interviews to talk in-depth about
the toll job stress and witnessing trauma has taken on them.
Arizona: Mental Health Court Established for Offenders on Probation http://bit.ly/2vZJb0M
FLORENCE, Ariz. (AP) — A specialized court has been established in Pinal County to give
defendants with mental problems an alternative path and keep them out of the criminal
justice system.
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Presiding Judge Stephen McCarville signed an administrative order last month calling for the
establishment of Mental Health Treatment Court. It's a therapeutic, post-sentence court for
defendants placed on supervised probation.
People screened with a mental illness are referred to the court by the Pinal County
Attorney's Office or the county's probation department. Then the court's staff reviews the
defendant's case to determine whether the person's situation is appropriate for the
program, the Casa Grande Dispatch reported (http://bit.ly/2vECCQV )
The offender undergoes outpatient treatment at a mental health facility while checking in
with the court on a weekly basis.
VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS CA: GOVERNOR SIGNS JACKSON BILL TO HELP VETERANS AND PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY HTTP://BIT.LY/2WVDCQE
Governor Jerry Brown has just signed a bill by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa
Barbara) that clarifies that military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder
and other mental health disorders associated with their service in the military are eligible for
pretrial diversion programs for misdemeanor DUIs, thus ensuring that these veterans get
the help they need sooner and more effectively.
Senate Bill 725 clarifies contradicting language in California law that had resulted in differing
state appeals courts’ rulings last year at a time when courts were experiencing an influx of
requests from veterans charged with these misdemeanors.
Provisions in the penal code established criteria for these veterans to qualify for diversion
programs, while the California vehicle code prohibited it.
“This bill will not only clarify once and for all that these veterans are eligible for pretrial
diversion programs, it will also ensure that veterans and service members who have served
our country will get the help they need to address substance abuse and mental health
issues,” Jackson said.
“This will ultimately help protect public safety and help prevent repeat DUIs, while giving
these veterans a more hopeful future.”
MI: Veterans’ Treatment Court Graduates Honored http://bit.ly/2wV601K
A ceremony was held recently at the Macomb County Circuit Courthouse for graduates of
the county’s Veterans’ Treatment Court (VTC).
The court began operations five years ago, focused on helping veterans of the armed forces
who are charged with crimes obtain treatment or other services to address underlying
problems.
NJ: Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Launches Program to Help Keep Veterans Out of Jail http://bit.ly/2wVznkR
FREEHOLD, NJ — Military service members who are charged with minor crimes may be
eligible for mental health and substance abuse treatment, rather than serving jail time,
under a program launched by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
The county’s new Veterans Diversion Program (VDP) is designed to provide mental health
and rehabilitative treatment to active and retired service members who are charged with
certain offenses — as long as the mental condition is related to their military service. In
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return for successful completion of the program, these military members would not have to
face traditional criminal prosecution.
“We have a moral obligation to our veterans and service members. They return home after
long tours of duty in war zones with unseen wounds and issues related to their combat
experiences. They can turn to drugs and crime in their efforts to cope,” said Monmouth
County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni. “They need our compassion — something
they have surely earned — to make a difference in their lives, instead of convictions and jail
sentences.”
The county’s program comes on the heels of a new statewide VDP initiative that takes effect
in December, which establishes a framework for the state to develop a process for
connecting eligible service members with mental health and support services. New Jersey is
joining a growing number of states that work in cooperation with the federal Department of
Veteran Affairs in establishing VDPs.
NY: EVENT: Housing Law Legal Stand Down, NYC, August 21st http://bit.ly/2w1OXPx NY Legal Assistance Group offers an informational presentation called "Housing Law" on
August 21, 11am.
www.legalhealth.org
WHEN
August 21, 2017 at 11am - 12pm
WHERE
Manhattan VA
423 E 23rd St
Clubhouse, Room 2694
New York, NY 10010
United States
Additional resources from my blog
1. LIST OF NATIONAL AND STATE LEGAL ASSISTANCE RESOURCES FOR VETERANS http://bit.ly/19DC5zu
2. U.S. VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS LOCATIONS http://bit.ly/1Lf1VX5
PTS/TBI/MST
EVENT: Webinar: VA PTSD Consultation Program Lecture: PTSD and Substance Use Disorders, August 16th http://bit.ly/2w1IjJ0
On the third Wednesday of each month, the PTSD Consultation Program hosts a webinar on
a topic relevant to treating PTSD.
We select topics based on questions providers are bringing to the PTSD Consultation
Program and invite an expert in that area to present the lecture.
The target audience includes mental health professionals or other health professionals
interested in topics related to treating Veterans with PTSD.
Monthly lectures offer 1 hour of accreditation for those who pre-register and participate in
the live talks. CE/CMEs available: ACCME, ACCME-NP, APA, ANCC, NBCC, ASWB.
EVENT: Workshop: Military Cultural Competence for Mental Health Professionals, Yonkers, NY, August 18th http://bit.ly/2vEcjKJ
The workshop Military Cultural Competence for Mental Health Professionals will
be August 18, 9:30am.
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The presentation is comprised of a two part series covering military cultural competence.
The first part will form a general overview foundation (explicit elements of military culture),
while the second part will dive deeper into understanding how to develop a strategy for
therapy based in military cultural competence (implicit elements of military culture).
A panel discussion with military service members will round out the learning.
Cohen Veterans Bioscience Newsletter July 2017 http://bit.ly/2wV38C3
EVENT: Cohen Veterans Care Summit: Spark A Care Revolution
We will be co-hosting our 2nd Annual Cohen Veterans Care Summit with Cohen Veterans
Network on September 27-28 at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C.
The mission of this year’s Summit is to convene an interactive forum to address priorities
for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Suicidality and
other Trauma-related Brain Disorders, and define a roadmap for progress. This Summit will
bring together leadership from the private and public sector to advance the Veterans Brain
Health research agenda and clinical care delivery model.
Our forum will consist of a Public Event, Igniting the Spark, with >600 attendees including
veterans and their families followed by an invitation-only Stakeholder Event, Spark a Care
Revolution, that will convene >350 thought leaders from academia, industry, government
and the non-profit sector. In an effort to stimulate discussion and promote collaboration,
Day 2 of the Stakeholder Event will offer 3 different tracks for stakeholders to attend:
policy, bioscience & clinical care.
Opinion: The need to reform compensation for veterans with mental health disabilities http://bit.ly/2w1hiVP
. . . Unfortunately, one loophole remained, and it disproportionately hurts service members
suffering from mental health impairments. When a condition is deemed serious but
unstable, the armed forces can temporarily retire a member and then reevaluate their
status within three years to make a final disposition.
Temporary retirement cases are reviewed and rerated by the military, not the VA, meaning
they are subject to the process as it existed before the aforementioned improvements.
Often the military proposes to lower the initial disability rating, putting the onus on veterans
to prove they are still sick.
Citing the VA's requirement that veterans with "mental disorders due to traumatic stress" be
assessed to see whether their condition has improved, the Pentagon elected to deem post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) automatically impermanent and unstable. Service
members incapacitated by PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and various mental health
conditions attributed to trauma are thus temporarily retired by default and risk having their
benefits stripped upon reevaluation.
This policy puts mentally ill veterans at a double disadvantage. First, unlike the vast
majority of their physically injured comrades, their initial VA rating is subject to future
second-guessing by the military and the threat of downgraded status.
Second, veterans with severe mental illness are often the least likely to seek follow-up care,
track their medical records, and show up for reexamination, which is precisely the evidence
that the armed forces use in determining an updated rating.
Stories of combat veterans who have no permanent address or support network and lose
their PTSD rating based on a lack of current medical documentation are sadly not
apocryphal.
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Research: Occupational Therapy Interventions for Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury http://bit.ly/2w1lDsb
This Evidence Connection describes a case report of an adult with traumatic brain injury
(TBI), applying the evidence for intervention from the systematic reviews on TBI that were
conducted in conjunction with the American Occupational Therapy Association’s (AOTA’s)
Evidence-Based Practice Project.
The occupational therapy assessment and treatment processes for hospital, home, and
community settings are described. Evidence Connection articles provide a clinical application
of systematic reviews developed in conjunction with AOTA’s Evidence-Based Practice
Project.
UC San Diego Research: Those who develop PTSD after brain injury may also have brain abnormalities http://bit.ly/2w0XP3C
A team of researchers says they have found evidence showing those who develop post-
traumatic stress disorder after a brain injury also have distinct changes in their brains.
Specifically, the amygdala – a region of the brain responsible for regulating emotion – is
significantly larger in those who develop PTSD after a brain injury compared when
compared to those who experienced TBI but not PTSD and healthy individuals.
“Many consider PTSD to be a psychological disorder, but our study found a key physical
difference in the brains of military-trained individuals with brain injury and PTSD,” said Dr.
Joel Pieper, from the University of California, San Diego.
“These findings have the potential to change the way we approach PTSD diagnosis and
treatment,” he added.
The researchers came to this conclusion after scanning the brains of 89 current and former
members of the U.S. military who had been diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury.
The results showed that the amygdala in the 29 patients who also had PTSD was
approximately 6% larger, particularly on the right side of the brain.
Boston University Research: VA’s chief neuropathologist discusses how study links NFL players with Veterans http://bit.ly/2wTgLSh
Dr. Ann McKee is known as a leading authority on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE),
a degenerative brain disease commonly found in athletes and military Veterans who
participated in physically intensive contact activities, such as boxing, football and the
military battlefield. McKee is the director of the CTE Center at Boston University (BU) and
chief neuropathologist for VA Boston and director of the brain banks for VA Boston and
Boston University School of Medicine, including the VA-BU-Concussion Legacy Foundation’s
(CLF) Brain Bank, the world’s largest tissue repository focused on traumatic brain injury
(TBI) and CTE. The bank has more than 425 brains, including more than 270 diagnosed
with CTE.
Recently, McKee received international media attention for her breakthrough study
analyzing the brains of American football players, which found CTE in 99 percent of NFL players, 91 percent of college players and 21 percent of high school players. The research, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on July 25, was the largest number of CTE cases ever studied.
McKee answered five questions about her brain trauma research for VAntage Point.
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1. Years of your research confirm that CTE is real, and now your recently published comprehensive study in JAMA shows that 99 percent of the brains of American football players you studied had definitive CTE. How is this research relevant to Veterans?
There are many parallels between concussive injury experienced during contact sports and exposure to blast and concussive injury experienced by Veterans. In addition, many Veterans are athletes, and play football, soccer, baseball, volleyball or participate in boxing. Our research shows that the long-term effects of concussive and blast injuries on the brain can be very similar, regardless of how the brain injuries occurred.
Research: Rapid amyloid-β oligomer and protofibril accumulation in traumatic brain injury http://bit.ly/2w1IFiD
Deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) is central to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis and
associated with progressive neurodegeneration in traumatic brain injury (TBI).
We analyzed predisposing factors for Aβ deposition including monomeric Aβ40, Aβ42 and Aβ
oligomers/protofibrils, Aβ species with pronounced neurotoxic properties, following human
TBI.
Highly selective ELISAs were used to analyze N-terminally intact and truncated Aβ40 and
Aβ42, as well as Aβ oligomers/protofibrils, in human brain tissue, surgically resected from severe TBI patients (n = 12; mean age 49.5 ± 19 years) due to life-threatening brain
swelling/hemorrhage within one week post-injury.
The TBI tissues were compared to post-mortem AD brains (n = 5), to post-mortem tissue of
neurologically intact (NI) subjects (n = 4) and to cortical biopsies obtained at surgery for
idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus patients (iNPH; n = 4). The levels of Aβ40 and
Aβ42 were not elevated by TBI.
The levels of Aβ oligomers/protofibrils in TBI were similar to those in the significantly older AD patients and increased compared to NI and iNPH controls (P < 0.05).
Moreover, TBI patients carrying the AD risk genotype Apolipoprotein E epsilon3/4 (APOE ε3/4; n = 4) had increased levels of Aβ oligomers/protofibrils (P < 0.05) and of both
N-terminally intact and truncated Aβ42 (P < 0.05) compared to APOE ε3/4-negative TBI
patients (n = 8).
Neuropathological analysis showed insoluble Aβ aggregates (commonly referred to as Aβ
plaques) in three TBI patients, all of whom were APOE ε3/4 carriers. We conclude that
soluble intermediary Aβ aggregates form rapidly after TBI, especially among APOE ε3/4
carriers. Further research is needed to determine whether these aggregates aggravate the
clinical short- and long-term outcome in TBI. Additional resources from my blog
RESURRECTING LIVES FOUNDATION http://bit.ly/1R9toOV
EVENTS FOR VETERANS & VETERAN SERVICE PROVIDERS http://bit.ly/1Gg1nOi
SUICIDE
Canadian Research: Adverse Combat Experiences, Feeling Responsible for Death, and Suicidal Ideation in Treatment-Seeking Veterans and Actively Serving Canadian Armed Forces Members http://bit.ly/2wVewOq
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The present study examines the relationship between feeling responsible for the death of
another and suicidal ideation (SI) while controlling for post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and general adverse deployment experiences.
Methods. Participants were current and former Canadian Armed Forces personnel (N=276)
seeking treatment at a hospital-based operational stress injury clinic. Data was collected as
part of a standard intake protocol.
Results. Although 43.5% of the sample reported feeling responsible for the death of
another in at least one instance, this variable did not emerge as a significant predictor of SI.
Instead, MDD and PTSD severity were the only significant predictors of SI in our
model. Discussion. Consistent with previous research, MDD emerged as the strongest
predictor of SI. Results emphasize the influence of psychiatric conditions on suicidal
behaviour over and above other combat-related variables. SPRC: The Weekly Spark http://bit.ly/29EvMvH
National Suicide Prevention Week
Suicide on Railroad Tracks
A Suicide Attempt in an Army Unit Can Lead to More, Study Finds
JAPAN: Japan Aims to Reduce "Critical" Suicide Rate by 30% over 10 Years
QuickStats: Suicide Rates for Teens Aged 15 to 19 by Sex — United States, 1975–2015
Collaborative Safety Planning to Reduce Risk in Suicidal Patients: A Key Component of
the Zero Suicide Model
ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH NEWS IS POSTED IN THE SECTIONS BELOW.
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES University of Arkansas Research: Arkansas First Responders Report Poor Mental Health, Seek Change http://bit.ly/2wTggYp
One in four first responders in Arkansas have PTSD, moderate to severe anxiety disorder, or
are at high risk for suicide, according to a statewide study currently underway surveying
the state's firefighters and paramedics.
Dr. Sara Jones is working on the study at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Jones says that, so far, she has had over 200 people participate in an anonymous survey on
the mental health consequences of being a first responder.
Twenty-one first responders have participated in in-person interviews to talk in-depth about
the toll job stress and witnessing trauma has taken on them.
Boston University Research: VA’s chief neuropathologist discusses how study links NFL players with Veterans http://bit.ly/2wTgLSh
Dr. Ann McKee is known as a leading authority on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE),
a degenerative brain disease commonly found in athletes and military Veterans who
participated in physically intensive contact activities, such as boxing, football and the
military battlefield. McKee is the director of the CTE Center at Boston University (BU) and
chief neuropathologist for VA Boston and director of the brain banks for VA Boston and
Boston University School of Medicine, including the VA-BU-Concussion Legacy Foundation’s
(CLF) Brain Bank, the world’s largest tissue repository focused on traumatic brain injury
(TBI) and CTE. The bank has more than 425 brains, including more than 270 diagnosed
with CTE.
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Recently, McKee received international media attention for her breakthrough study
analyzing the brains of American football players, which found CTE in 99 percent of NFL
players, 91 percent of college players and 21 percent of high school players. The research, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on July 25, was the largest number of CTE cases ever studied.
McKee answered five questions about her brain trauma research for VAntage Point.
1. Years of your research confirm that CTE is real, and now your recently published comprehensive study in JAMA shows that 99 percent of the brains of American football players you studied had definitive CTE. How is this research relevant to Veterans?
There are many parallels between concussive injury experienced during contact sports and exposure to blast and concussive injury experienced by Veterans. In addition, many Veterans are athletes, and play football, soccer, baseball, volleyball or participate in boxing. Our research shows that the long-term effects of concussive and blast injuries on the brain can be very similar, regardless of how the brain injuries occurred.
UC Berkeley Research: Specialty mental health probation means fewer rearrests http://bit.ly/2w1jGMo
Placing people with mental illness who have been arrested on “specialty mental health
probation” could lead to fewer rearrests than placing them on traditional probation, a new
study suggests.
Each year, some two million people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental
illnesses are arrested for various crimes, inadvertently turning the US correctional system
into the nation’s primary provider of inpatient psychiatric care. The new study, however,
may offer a partial solution.
Researchers studied the supervision and outcomes of 359 offenders with mental illness,
comparing those who had been placed on traditional probation against those on “specialty
mental health probation,” a program in which probation officers with mental health
expertise use a more individualized, treatment-oriented approach.
Their findings, published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association –
Psychiatry, show that 52 percent of traditional probationers were rearrested over a two-year
follow-up period, compared to 29 percent of specialty probationers.
“We found that specialty officers had better relationships with probationers, participated
more in probationers’ treatment, and relied more on positive compliance strategies than
traditional officers,” says study lead author Jennifer Skeem, a professor of social welfare
and of public policy at the University of California, Berkeley.
UC San Diego Research: Those who develop PTSD after brain injury may also have brain abnormalities http://bit.ly/2w0XP3C
A team of researchers says they have found evidence showing those who develop post-
traumatic stress disorder after a brain injury also have distinct changes in their brains.
Specifically, the amygdala – a region of the brain responsible for regulating emotion – is
significantly larger in those who develop PTSD after a brain injury compared when
compared to those who experienced TBI but not PTSD and healthy individuals.
“Many consider PTSD to be a psychological disorder, but our study found a key physical
difference in the brains of military-trained individuals with brain injury and PTSD,” said Dr.
Joel Pieper, from the University of California, San Diego.
“These findings have the potential to change the way we approach PTSD diagnosis and
treatment,” he added.
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The researchers came to this conclusion after scanning the brains of 89 current and former
members of the U.S. military who had been diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury.
The results showed that the amygdala in the 29 patients who also had PTSD was
approximately 6% larger, particularly on the right side of the brain.
Columbia University studying horse therapy for veterans with PTSD at Bergen County stables https://njersy.co/2vZAQdw
They are each wary and slow to trust others. They each scan their surroundings constantly.
And each stays constantly alert for danger.
But while horses depend on those characteristics for survival, veterans with post-traumatic
stress disorder can find them debilitating — traits that interfere with family and work
life and can result in disturbed sleep, depression and substance abuse.
Now, researchers are hoping that when man and beast find common ground, through a
series of guided interactions such as grooming the horse and leading it around a ring, it will
help treat PTSD.
Columbia University is conducting one of the first such university-led studies of horse-
assisted therapy with veterans who have PTSD at the Bergen Equestrian Center in Leonia.
Queens College (NY) Veteran Admissions http://bit.ly/2w24kYb Queens College offers specialized admission for Fall 2017 Monday through Friday, 9am-
5pm. Bring your sealed transcripts, diplomas, and proof of service (DD214, ID card).
Application and commitment fees are waived for veterans and active military.
Queens College is located at 65-30 Kissena Blvd, in the Jefferson Hall Welcome Center, in
Flushing, NY.
Rutgers University: Mini-MBA: Business Management for Military and Veterans at Rutgers University (NJ), August 21st – 25th http://bit.ly/2wVcMEZ
The Mini-MBA: Business Management for Military and Veterans program offers
an overview of the key concepts, tools, and techniques that are required to succeed
in a challenging civilian business environment.
This program August 21 - 25, uniquely mixes veterans, transitioning military
personnel, and civilian employers in the same classroom to provide all with a better
understanding of how to capitalize upon years of military training, and how the
knowledge and skills gained apply to a civilian workplace.
Funding may be available for those eligible to receive GI Bill educational benefits.
GENERAL NEWS
Financial Research: Companies that focus on hiring vets outperform market http://bit.ly/2w3ud8W
A new investment fund will allow people to invest in companies with strong records in
recruiting and supporting veterans, active duty service members, Guardsmen and
reservists, and military families.
Financial analysis shows that such companies generally outperform the market. That’s the
reason a new fund, the Military Times Best for Vets Index, was created by Track One Capital
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Services, based in New York, and Wilshire Associates Inc., based in Santa Monica,
California.
Track One Capital Services chose to utilize the Military Times Best for Vets Employers guide
as the basis for identifying these companies based on its independence, accuracy and
authenticity. This well-established guide has become the standard for identifying companies
that create the best employment environment for veterans and members of the military
community.
Additional resources from my blog ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS http://bit.ly/1Gg21LH
EVENTS FOR VETERANS & VETERANS SERVICE PROVIDERS http://bit.ly/1Gg1nOi
VETERANS JOB LISTINGS AND HIRING FAIRS WEBSITES http://bit.ly/19Dz2ay NEWSLETTERS & BLOG FOR VETERANS http://bit.ly/1GQzKjf
"VETERANS IN JUSTICE" LinkedIn Professional Group (VIJ)
Please join us on LinkedIn or Facebook for networking and discussions on the issues regarding
veterans in the criminal justice system. This group's mission is to connect professionals and
advocates who work with and for justice-involved veterans and to share ideas and practices for
assisting those veterans -- from the conditions that lead to justice involvement, through initial
police contact, arrest, criminal case processing, conviction, sentencing, incarceration, and
release. Access our group at http://linkd.in/1947vfS Facebook:
www.facebook.com/veteransinjustice
Join The National Discussion - 1,348 Professionals in VIJ Group
Active Topics
New online tool helps veterans identify legal issues and take action to resolve them
California bill would allow troops and vets to avoid conviction on DUI offenses
Pain Management and Opioid Use with Veterans and Service Members
PTSD/TBI and Discharges
Sexual Assaults in Military Drop, Reporting Goes Up, Annual Report Reveals
ADDRESSING THE FLOW OF VETERANS INTO PRISON
LINKEDIN GROUPS
Military and Veteran Benefit Forum Veteran Mentor Network http://linkd.in/1fOlgOt 28,933 members Institute for Veteran Cultural Studies http://linkd.in/1cz3gq1 NAMI http://linkd.in/1cz3Gg7 BI-IFEA (Brain injury-Ideas for Education & Advocacy) http://linkd.in/1cz4e5V Military-Civilian: Hot Jobs and Careers for Veterans and Their Families http://linkd.in/1c59DkM VETERANS IN JUSTICE GROUP http://linkd.in/12APdMS Cuyahoga County Ohio Veterans and Supporters (Bryan A. McGown "Gunny") http://linkd.in/Zxwx1f Veteran Employment Representatives http://linkd.in/ZxwUcc MILITARY MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS POST DEPLOYMENT FOR PROVIDERS, COMBAT VETERANS & THEIR FAMILIES http://bit.ly/1RVPLFl Midwest Military Outreach, Inc. http://linkd.in/1eiMTkJ Military Veteran Job Fairs & Hiring Conferences http://linkd.in/Zxx4jS Wounded Warrior Resources http://linkd.in/17TMNhJ The Value of a Veteran http://linkd.in/15vD7H4 MILITARY MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS POST DEPLOYMENT FOR PROVIDERS, COMBAT VETERANS & THEIR FAMILIES http://linkd.in/1fkQLA8 (Please email us other groups that you find and think would be informative and useful for our audience)
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VETERANS IN THE COURTS INITIATIVE BLOG estrattonconsulting.wordpress.com
To focus this newsletter on veterans-related criminal justice and mental illness issues and to shorten it to a more
manageable size, we have moved our tables & lists of reference materials and other longer term information to retired Justice Stratton's blog. Please follow the links below for that information.
Operation Legal Help Ohio http://bit.ly/1Gg0HbK
National Legal Assistance http://bit.ly/19DC5zu
VA Town Halls & Events http://bit.ly/1Gg1DN6
Jobs & Hiring Fairs Listings http://bit.ly/19Dz2ay
Events: Conferences, Webinars, etc.
http://bit.ly/1Gg1nOi
Additional Resources http://bit.ly/1Gg21LH
Current Newsletter http://bit.ly/19ovER5
2015 Newsletters http://bit.ly/1FKASAC
Ohio Resources For Veterans http://bit.ly/19ouWn0
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Editor's Note: Thank you to all of the individuals and organizations that provide articles for these news clips
every week. I would especially like to thank and urge you to follow: Marco Bongioanni, MSE Readjustment Counseling Therapist, U.S. Army Veteran,Bronx Vet Center, Bronx, NY Lily Casura, journalist, author and founder of Healing Combat Trauma - the award-winning, first website to
address the issue of combat veterans and PTSD (established February 2006). Lily is also apublic policy grad student, IWMF grantee and NASW award winner.
U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) Wayne Gatewood, of Quality Support Inc. Wayne disseminates a daily Veterans News e-mail to an international audience
Dr. Ingrid Herrera-Yee, Project Manager, Military Spouse Mental Health Pipeline, National Military Family Association. Dr. Herrera-Yee is currently a Board Member for the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), Military Spouses of Strength, Military Mental Health Project and the National Guard Suicide and Resiliency Council among others. She has also been a special contributor to NBC News, Military Times, Air Force Times, Military Spouse Magazine and BuzzFeed. She spends her free time mentoring spouses through eMentor and Joining Forces. Dr. Herrera-Yee received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and was a Clinical Fellow at Harvard University.
U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) James Hutton, Dep Assistant Secretary (Acting), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Col. US Army (Ret) - Iraq War Veteran.
Justice for Vets, Justice For Vets is a professional services division of the National Association of Drug Court professionals, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Alexandria, VA. Justice for Vets believes that no veteran or military service member should suffer from gaps in service, or the judicial system when they return to their communities. As the stewards of the Veterans Treatment Court movement
Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren, Pioneer, America's first mental health court dedicated to the decriminalization of people with mental illness
Kathy Platoni, Psy.D., DAAPM, FAIS, Clinical Psychologist, COL (RET), US Army, COL. Ohio Militia, www.drplatoni.com, Veteran ~ Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, (Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay and Afghanistan), Co-Author and Co-Editor, Fort Hood Massacre Survivor, National Combat Trauma Expert
Mary Ellen Salzano, founder facilitator of the CA Statewide Collaborative for our Military and Families Patrick W. Welch, PhD, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret), Veterans Advocate & Educator, Buffalo Veterans Treatment
Court - Senior Mentor, Higher Ground New York - Director of Military Programs
HOW TO JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER There are three ways to join my newsletter:
Join my Veterans In The Courts Initiative Google Group at http://bit.ly/1DZ3esD or,
Subscribe to my Veterans In The Courts Initiative Blog for immediate news and for my weekly newsletter at http://bit.ly/1DP1TCi or,
Please contact my editor Pete Miller at [email protected] and request to be added. 1. Please send us a little info about yourselves as we like to introduce our new sign-ups to others for networking purposes. (See our transmittal email page for examples.) If you do NOT wish to be recognized, please let Pete know, otherwise we will list you. 2. We provide these news clips summaries as a way to share information of a general nature and it is not intended as a substitute for professional consultation and advice in a particular matter. The opinions and interpretations expressed within are those of the author of the individual news stories only and may not reflect those of other identified parties.
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3. We do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of these news clips, nor do we endorse or make any representations about their content. We only pass them through to our readers and rely on you to check out their content. We don't intend to make any editorial judgment about their content or politics. 4. In no event will I, EStratton Consulting, or my Editor Pete Miller, be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of the use of or reliance on the contents of this news clips summary. How you chose to use them is strictly up to you. 5. Please feel free to pass the news clips on to any of your networks, so that we may get the word out as far as possible. You may also send in information similar in content to what we pass on. While we may occasionally pass on such information, we don't intend to promote commercial or for profit products nor be a substitute for your own efforts to promote your own entity or website. We especially welcome information about national funding or training opportunities. 6. If you pass on our clips, please also pass on our Disclaimer. EDITOR/CONTACT
Pete Miller, [email protected], @OHCircuitRider
Ohio Attorney General's Task Force on Criminal Justice & Mental Illness
Veterans In The Courts Initiative
Editor/Publisher - Veterans Treatment Court News Daily
Editor/Publisher - Traumatic Brain Injury News Daily
