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RETIRED JUSTICE EVELYN LUNDBERG STRATTON'S VETERANS'

CRIMINAL JUSTICE & MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES NEWS

MAY 31, 2015

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 news summary by joining our Veteran In The Courts Initiative Group http://bit.ly/1DZ3esD

2,117 providers of veterans services nationwide receive this newsletter directly.

Thank you for sharing!

VETERANS IN THE COURTS INITIATIVE BLOG (Beta) estrattonconsulting.wordpress.com

Editor's Note: To refocus 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.

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

This data will be updated constantly. Please use the links below to share the information. Please send us new sources when you find them. Thank you!

FEATURED STORIES

Health care for military focus of legislation http://bit.ly/1HLY6uM Working with the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University, Edwards worked

on a plan to train counselors in military culture and strategies to help soldiers suffering from the traumas of war. There’s now a network of these civilian counselors in Indiana and six other states called Star Behavioral Health Providers (www.starproviders.org).

Policymakers are increasingly understanding that, too. In mid-May, the Senate Armed Services Committee passed a measure aimed at improving mental health for service members. U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Indiana, co-sponsored of the bipartisan legislation, the

Service Member and Veteran Mental Health Care Package.

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Can the Sequential Intercept Model help with behavioral health justice? http://bit.ly/1RqIrmp

There is now pending legislation in the United States Senate and the U.S. House involving

the diversion of justice-involved individuals with behavioral health disorders from standard prosecution. Both bills use the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM), developed by Mark Munetz and Patty Griffin, in collaboration with Hank Steadman, as an organizing tool to help structure the proposed law. What is the SIM? How can it be used.

A Practical Guide to Conducting VA Compensation and Pension Exams for PTSD and Other Mental Disorders, November 2011 (PDF) http://bit.ly/1FaH5DR

Editor's Note: This article and the recommendations or opinions stated herein should in no

way be construed to reflect the opinions or beliefs of the US Department of Veterans Affairs

or the US government. The opinions expressed in this article are the authors' alone. The

authors are two VA Compensation and Pension employees.

Abstract

Despite being one of the most common forensic mental health evaluations, no article has

ever appeared in a peer-reviewed journal describing how to conduct US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mental health compensation and pension examinations. This article rectifies that paucity of information.

We outline the legal framework, ethical considerations, and administrative challenges inherent in these evaluations. We provide separate guidelines for private practice clinicians and VA staff or contractors. We pay special attention to the multiple sources of collateral information available for these exams and how to access relevant records. The article alerts

examiners to the possibility that they might face resistance from VA officials if they screen for and assess symptom exaggeration or feigning and that they could en-counter VA-imposed restrictions on time allotted for exams.

Specific suggestions are made for different types of exams: Initial Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), PTSD Review, Initial Mental Disorder, and Mental Disorder Review.

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VA/DoD

ICYMI: Sec. McDonald on MSNBC’s “Taking the Hill” http://1.usa.gov/1KyaVtD On Sunday, Secretary Bob McDonald talked with MSNBC’s Patrick Murphy about his work at VA, including steps the department has taken to improve access to health care for Veterans. “We’ve hired over 900 doctors since I’ve become Secretary,” McDonald said. “I’ve visited over 17 medical schools. I’ve talked to the AMA, I’ve talked to the association of deans of medical schools to try to get more doctors.” McDonald explained how in the health care field, VA is not only essential for Veterans, it’s essential for American medicine and for the American people. “It’s three legged stool. Take away any of the one legs and the stool falls over,” McDonald said. “Leg one is research. We spend $1.8 billon on research. That’s led to three Nobel prizes, it’s led to seven Lasker awards. We invented the nicotine patch. We did the first liver transplant 6 We know more about prosthetics than anyone else. We’re on the cutting edge of traumatic brain injury.” McDonald continued, ” [The] second leg is training. We train over 70 percent of doctors in the country through our residency program. We train nurses. We have the largest workforce of nurses in the country.” “The third leg is clinical work. It’s dealing with our Veteran population every single day. Some of our very best doctors participate in all three legs, where we have an affiliation with some of the best medical schools in the country.”

Summer of Service: Join VA in serving Veterans this Summer -- Individuals, organizations and communities are welcome http://1.usa.gov/1KyaFLa

VA begins a new nationwide initiative today to increase the number of people and

organizations serving Veterans in their communities. It’s called “Summer of Service” and we are asking citizens across the country to join us in serving our nation’s Veterans.

VA leadership has set several goals we hope to obtain before Labor Day. These include: • Increase the number of VA volunteers • Increase the number of community partners • Recruiting more health care professionals and clinical support staff to further expand

access to care and reduce homelessness. • Host congressional members and staffs at VA facilities across the country so they can

see firsthand how Veterans are being served and what their needs are.

VA building a virtual hospital http://bit.ly/1LMiMkz

On Heroes' Beach, the water is always calm. The sun is about to set. And there are large

bonfires, gently crackling. The bonfires each have a sign perched in front of them: diabetes, asthma, PTSD. A veteran

can pick one and sit around with a group of friends and chat. There may even be a health provider there to coach the discussion. The goal for setting up these bonfires is simple: help veterans get the health information

they need without leaving the comfort of their homes. Because Heroes' Beach is virtual. "hospital" that's being built from the ground up, code by code, avatar by avatar, here in Central Florida at SimLEARN, VA's National Simulation Center

in Orlando.

AMVETS’ Stewart Hickey Appointed to Commission on Care http://bit.ly/1FVP3p7

LANHAM, MD, May 28, 2015 – AMVETS National Executive Director Stewart Hickey has been selected to serve on the Commission on Care established by Congress to examine how to

best deliver health care to the nation’s veterans.

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OHIO

UPDATE: Death penalty should not apply to the seriously mentally ill: editorial cleveland.com http://bit.ly/1HLYCZR

Legislation introduced by Ohio State Sens. Bill Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican, and Sandra Williams, a Cleveland Democrat, would prohibit the state from executing murderers

determined to have been seriously mentally ill when they committed their crimes. Under Senate Bill 162, someone who was "significantly impaired" by such illnesses as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and as a result unable to understand what he or she

was doing or to obey the law, could not be put to death. That would be the case even for defendants deemed competent to stand trial and those ruled unable to pursue a defense of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Those already convicted and on death row would have one year to appeal their sentences after the law went into effect.

The proposal, which was among 50 recommendations made last year by an Ohio Supreme Court task force on the death penalty, deserves serious consideration.

Supreme Court of Ohio Specialized Dockets Newsletter, May 27th http://bit.ly/1slxo0i

VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS WHY A VETERANS TREATMENT COURT (TOLEDO BAR

ASSOCIATION) https://estrattonconsulting.wordpress.com/2015/04/15/why-a-veterans-treatment-court-toledo-barassociation-2/ HOMELESS VETERANS IN MANSFIELD AREA TO GET HELP ON RENT

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/story/news/local/2015/04/27/homeless-veteransvoucher/26492841/

VA TO DEBUT ONE-STOP BENEFIT WEBSITE http://www.military.com/military-report/va-to-debut-one-stop-benefitwebsite.html?esrc=mr0511.nl CENTRAL OHIO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY VETERANS

BUILD HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM http://www.habitatmidohio.org/wp-content/uploads/veterans_build_2014.pdf Webinar: VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS: A SECOND CHANCE FOR VETS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR WAY Date: August 26, 2015

o The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) will be conducting a three-hour live-streaming internet broadcast on justice-involved veterans, highlighting the lifesaving role being played by veterans treatment courts across the country. For more information please click here.

Abbott: THE INVISIBLE INJURY: UNDERSTANDING CONCUSSION FOR BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH http://bit.ly/1K1b9Ip

Editor's Note: Abbott Nutrition's worldwide headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio

. . . When it comes to concussion, Dr. Beth McQuiston, M.D., board certified neurologist and medical director in Abbott's Diagnostics business, recommends remembering to stay on PAR.

o Prevent concussions by protecting yourself (such as wearing a helmet and following all

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safety recommendations) o Ask a doctor or healthcare provider to assess your symptoms

o Rest to give your brain time to heal During Brain Injury Awareness Month, we encourage everyone to learn how to recognize concussion symptoms. The sooner people are diagnosed with concussion, the sooner they can

rest and recover to prevent long-term effects of their injury and so they can resume their daily, healthy and active lives. To learn more about TBI, treatment and prevention, visit the following:

o Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury Infographic o Sports and Concussion Infographic o Football and Concussion Infographic

o Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Traumatic Brain Injuries

Students at the University of Akron have founded an American Legion post

. . . A group of dedicated student veterans have founded University of Akron Post 808, one of the fastest-growing posts in Ohio. The post has thrived thanks to the passion of its 20-something founders and the important niche the post has filled at the school.

Rule To Take Effect July 1st for Ohio Courts to Electronically Share Critical Information http://bit.ly/1HJEswE

More than 4,000 users within Ohio’s courts and criminal justice system are researching and sharing critical information on a daily basis through the Ohio Courts Network (OCN). To ensure Ohio courts can continue to share information, the Supreme Court has adopted a new rule requiring courts link to the OCN.

Changing drugs’ formula may deter abuse (ADP Formulation) http://bit.ly/1RjHTie

Dr. Elizabeth Lottes, of the Maryhaven Research Institute, said the abuse-deterrent formula, which is not yet available for all drugs, will not stop abuse and addiction. But she said it may slow down what is now all too often a quick transition for many patients — from legal use of

prescription pain pills to shooting or snorting them, and eventually to heroin for a bigger and potentially more deadly high. . . . Dr. Amol Soin, a Dayton-area anesthesiologist, pain physician and member of the State

Medical Board, said as a prescriber, he worries about what happens to pills he prescribed if they are diverted to other users. “What happens if I have an unscrupulous patient that deceptively obtains medication and

then sells them? I worry about the societal harm for that occurring. “I think the rise of abuse-deterrent pills would mitigate that risk of abuse,” Soin said. He said

the new formula might also help prevent overdoses.

Third Annual Veterans Benefit Expo, June 6th, Cincinnati, OH http://bit.ly/1Ryz58q

Click on the link for details and contact information.

ODVS: Deadline to Nominate Veterans for the OH Veterans Hall of Fame is June 30th http://1.usa.gov/1POKbZn

Honoring Veterans for their service to community following their military service

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Columbus – Don’t miss the chance to honor veterans who have served their communities following military service – the deadline for nominations for the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame

Class of 2015 is June 30. The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame was established in 1992 to recognize the achievements of veterans in community service after their military service ended. Charter members of the

Hall’s Class of 1993 included the six Ohio military veterans who were elected President of the United States and all Medal of Honor recipients from Ohio. Honorees include astronauts, government officials, police officers, community leaders, and veterans’ advocates.

The Hall of Fame Executive Committee, made up of veterans, selects not more than 20 inductees annually. Men and women chosen for induction into the Hall come from all eras, all branches of service and all walks of life.

Please help us honor veterans who have served their communities following military service – the deadline for nominations for the Class of 2015 is June 30.

Nomination guidelines and forms are available at: http://dvs.ohio.gov/VETERANS_HALL_OF_FAME

Dayton native is top graduate at Air Force Academy http://bit.ly/1SE9CvF Rebecca Esselstein is a Rhodes Scholar, aspires to be an astronaut

Capt. John Grassbaugh (Ohio State Law School Veterans Clinic) honored with a Facebook video by the 82 Airborne Division on Memorial Day. http://on.fb.me/1JXAq6k

Ohio State Moritz College of Law's Grassbaugh Veterans Law Clinic is named after Captain Grassbaugh, and was founded by his wife, USA Captain Jenna Grassbaugh, while she attended the Moritz College of Law.

Reminder: Cleveland Veterans Court to Hold "Boot Camp", Vet Court Mentor Training, June 1st & 2nd http://bit.ly/1CL7QNR

Two days of training is being offered to individuals in the Cleveland area willing to serve as mentors to veterans assigned to the special docket at Veterans Court. If you are aware of individuals in the Cleveland area who might be willing to assist a veteran through the court process, please refer them to this Boot Camp link for more on this June1 & 2 program.

Additional resources from my blog

• OPERATION LEGAL HELP OHIO http://bit.ly/1Gg0HbK • OHIO RESOURCES FOR VETERANS http://bit.ly/19ouWn0 • OHIO JOBS FOR VETERANS http://bit.ly/1CL3Ay0 • RESURRECTING LIVES FOUNDATION http://bit.ly/1R9toOV • EVENTS FOR OHIO VETERANS & VETERAN SERVICE PROVIDERS http://bit.ly/1cpZrKQ

VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS Adequate funding crucial to ensure that all Texans have access to justice http://bit.ly/1RqIU84

. . . To help our veterans, the Supreme Court of Texas and the Texas Veterans Commission have partnered in a new initiative called Justice for Veterans. The goal of this partnership is

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to increase funding for direct legal assistance to veterans and their families and for veterans’ courts. Local legal aid programs for veterans are gateways to the justice system for many

veterans and their families. All Texans deserve access to basic civil legal services. Helping struggling Texans obtain assistance with civil legal needs is both a democratic and a moral imperative. Our veterans

deserve access to healthcare and benefits; mothers and their children deserve safety from abusive situations; and the elderly should be protected from losing their homes. Legal aid is fundamental to ensuring justice for all citizens of this great state. Editor's Note: Written by Justice Eva Guzman who has been a member of the Supreme Court

of Texas since 2009 and is the Court’s liaison to the Texas Access to Justice Foundation and

the Texas Access to Justice Commission.

NY Law Journal: OCA Proposes Rule to Encourage Case Transfers http://bit.ly/1FW0YTR

ALBANY - State court administrators have issued proposed rules to clarify that criminal court

judges, including those in town and village courts, can transfer criminal cases to one of the specialty "problem-solving" courts in their counties. The Office of Court Administration said the change would make clear that specialty courts,

with the enhanced resources they provide to defendants, are an appropriate alternative in some cases.

Harvard University Veterans Law and Disability Benefits Clinic (LSC)

Students in the Clinic work to protect the rights of veterans and their families and persons with disabilities. Students can select among three project areas: (1) representing veterans in

administrative and federal court appeals to challenge wrongful denials of federal and state veterans benefits; (2) representing veterans and their families in estate and financial planning matters such as wills, trusts, advanced directives, guardianships, and

conservatorships; or (3) representing clients in administrative and court appeals to challenge wrongful denials of Social Security disability benefits. The Clinic's practice includes administrative, disability, mental health, probate, and

constitutional law. Students gain in-depth experience with: client and witness interviewing; working with medical evidence and experts; drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs; drafting legal instruments; examining and cross-examining witnesses at hearings; judicial review of

agency decisions; presenting oral argument, engaging in negotiation; and solving ethical dilemmas. Overall, the Clinic focuses its advocacy efforts on using the law to promote financial stability,

access to healthcare, and dignity for veterans and their families and persons with disabilities. • Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA) Award recognizes Harvard Student Christopher

Melendez ’15 and his service to veterans http://bit.ly/1ABRVa7

The Civil Legal Clinic at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial, Albuquerque http://1.usa.gov/1GBPdm0

When a Veteran needs legal help, he or she can get free assistance from a licensed New Mexico attorney or other legal professionals once a month in Albuquerque, thanks to a

program organized by the New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS), the State Bar of New Mexico Young Lawyers Division, and several other community partners. The Civil Legal Clinic is open from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the second Tuesday of each month

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at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial, 1100 Louisiana Blvd. SE (just off Gibson) in Albuquerque. Now completing its second year, the clinic was designed for enrolled Veterans

of the NMVAHCS with legal questions on civil matters. Since it first opened in June of 2013, about 1,300 Veterans have received assistance at the clinic.

Free Legal Advice at Monthly Veterans Clinic at New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS), Monthly on 2nd Tuesday

ALBUQUERQUE -- Enrolled Veterans of the New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS) with legal questions on civil matters will have an opportunity to receive free consultation with

licensed New Mexico attorneys and other legal professionals on June 9 at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial, 1100 Louisiana Blvd. SE (just off Gibson) in Albuquerque. The Civil Legal Clinic will be open from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The clinic offers free legal advice about topics such as consumer rights, bankruptcy, landlord-tenant issues, foreclosure, and employment. Veterans may also bring their questions regarding family law, including divorce, child support, custody and visitation. The clinic does

not handle wills or estate planning. No appointment is necessary, and veterans are encouraged to bring with them any documents relating to their legal issues. This clinic is the result of a collaborative effort by the NMVAHCS and the State Bar of New Mexico Young Lawyers Division, as well as other legal service providers and community providers from

around the state. The clinics are offered the second Tuesday of each month, except for federal holidays. For

questions, please contact Lisa Anderson, Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist, at (505) 908-0383, or Camila Lopez, at (505) 265-1711, ext. 3434.

FL: Funds still elusive for new Manatee veterans court http://bit.ly/1FVQfJ0

BRADENTON -- A sticking point in creating a veterans treatment court in Manatee County has been paying for it.

"Honestly, it's all money," Jennifer Joynt-Sanchez, assistant public defender for the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, said Thursday at a meeting of the new Manatee County Veterans Court Council.

Without proper funding, agencies could be overwhelmed by the workload of managing court cases, directing veterans into treatment and counseling.

One promising funding source, $300,000 in state funds requested by state Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, is now in doubt because of the failure of the Legislature to approve a budget in April.

The Legislature will convene a special session Monday to pass the budget. "I will fight for it. It's not completely out of the picture. There is still a chance that we could

get it this year," Steube said in a phone interview Thursday. The allocation would be split between veterans courts in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

The proposed court is needed because of the number of homeless vets in the 12th Judicial Circuit who come in contact with law enforcement, Steube said. In other business, the Manatee County Veterans Court Council began establishing a group of

mentors to work one on one with troubled vets. The mentor group will hold its first meeting

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at 3 p.m. Monday at Turning Points, 707 17th Ave. W., Bradenton. FL: Court offers vets treatment instead of jail http://bit.ly/1FW0zAF

Escambia County Circuit Court Judge Edward P. Nickinson III has spent nearly 20 years in

drug court, helping nonviolent offenders find restoration in recovery and become productive citizens. At a conference in Orlando last year, a lawyer’s passionate presentation on the virtues of

veterans treatment court piqued Nickinson’s interest in starting a similar court in Pensacola. “We have no idea what we are facing in the next couple of decades in terms of behavioral issues from these veterans coming back,” Nickinson said. “If we don’t get on top of this, it’s going to create major problems.”

Nickinson turned his interest into action and next month plans to launch a veterans court in Escambia County. When it begins on June 9, Escambia County’s veterans court will become

only the second one in Northwest Florida. In 2010, an Okaloosa County judge created a veterans court as a result of the post-traumatic stress disorder he had dealt with after suffering a traumatic brain injury in Afghanistan in

2005. The Florida Legislature named the veterans court bill, T. Patt Maney Veterans’ Treatment Intervention Act, in honor of Judge Patt Maney.

Since it inception, 40 of nearly 80 participants in the program have completed their treatment and graduated, said Carl Jett, Okaloosa County’s veterans court coordinator. As of April, 36 veterans remain on the docket getting assistance through the court.

The success rate is relatively high. Only six veterans — 15 percent of participants — have failed to meet the requirements for completion, Jett said.

For the most part, veterans court is a hybrid drug and mental court designed to serve veterans struggling with addictions, mental illness and various disorders.

TX: Smith County Veterans Court Rolled Out to Local Attorneys http://bit.ly/1FVQyDD

. . . Smith County Commissioners, the Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System and

the VA Regional Office in Waco have signed a Memorandum of Understanding as to what services will be provided for the veterans court. The Memorandum of Understanding states that the participating entities plan to “provide

eligible veterans charged with misdemeanor offenses in Smith County an opportunity to realize better outcomes in their contact with the criminal justice system through utilization of the VA-sponsored rehabilitative programs.”

Planning and developing the program included representatives from the Smith County Court-at-Law No. 2, Smith County Veterans Services and the Smith County District Attorney's Office.

TX: Veterans get free legal help at Saturday clinic http://bit.ly/1FVQL9R

Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans is a State Bar of Texas committee established to develop and assist pro bono legal clinics throughout the state for military veterans and families who cannot afford or do not have access to the legal services they need.

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Under the leadership of Myer Lipson, president, and the committee chairman of the El Paso Lawyers for Patriots, former Family Court Judge Donald L. Williams, the El Paso Bar

Association continues to coordinate the delivery of legal services to active duty and retired service members, veterans and their families. Since 2010, El Paso Lawyers for Patriots has coordinated a network of El Paso lawyers to

assist veterans and active duty military and their families who cannot afford or have no access to legal services. These lawyers provide low-cost services to veterans, active duty service members and their

families to help navigate through the complex geography that makes up the civil and criminal legal system.

CA: Calaveras team seeking justice for vets http://bit.ly/1FNRHgw

By midsummer, Calaveras County should have a special court to serve the needs of veterans

who run afoul of the law, say leaders in Calaveras County’s criminal justice system. Law enforcement officials say they are opening the new court and taking other measures to address the growing population of military veterans here, some of whom find themselves in

jail or court. Officials say that 13.7 percent of the county’s residents are veterans. Local leaders are getting a little help from a recent change in state law. California Penal Code 1170.9 was recently amended so that courts can take special steps to address the needs of

all veterans. Previously, special criminal justice programs were targeted at combat veterans. Under Penal Code 1170.9, a judge can order veteran offenders to receive therapy rather than

other sentences in cases in which a veteran is determined to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, sexual trauma, substance abuse or mental health problems relating to his or her service.

The team leading the effort consists of Judge Tim Healy, District Attorney Barbara Yook,

Assistant District Attorney Milt Matchak, Public Defender Scott Gross, sheriff Sgt. Maria Oldham, Deputy Director Health and Human Services John Lawless, Probation Officer Jackie Jones, Substance Abuse Counselor II Neal Parrish, veteran mentor coordinator Kevin

Reimann, Veteran Justice Outreach Specialist Leah Emery of the Palo Alto hospital operated by the Department of Veteran Affairs, and veterans court coordinator Charity Maness. Local organizations participating in the effort include the Calaveras Deputy Sheriff’s

Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12118 and auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2600 and auxiliary, Angels Camp Veterans Memorial District, Collective Patient Resources, the Tuolumne County Deputy Sheriff Association and the Lake Tulloch Lions.

Assembly Bill 963, which is now before the California Legislature, will, if passed, mandate

that every superior court create a veterans treatment court. Three previous bills addressing this issue have passed the Legislature only to be vetoed by current and former

governors on the grounds that it infringes on the judiciary’s power to control its dockets.

CA: Cover Story: Second chances: Veterans services in Santa Maria help those who've served adjust to life outside the military http://bit.ly/1RqJqTD

On the afternoon of Friday, May 22, Department 7 of the Santa Maria courthouse was packed with people. Most of them were U.S. veterans and their friends and family. Everyone stood and faced the U.S. flag. With hands over their hearts, the crowd recited the Pledge of

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Allegiance in unison. The court was officially in session.

Presiding Judge Rogelio Flores called out the names of veterans one by one. He was stern with some and joked with others. Murmurs from several conversations emanated from the back of the court. It’s not your typical criminal court; the mood was very informal.

That day, Santa Maria resident and Air Force veteran Desi Bryant stood before the judge, who congratulated Bryant for graduating to the next phase of Veterans Treatment Court. The two embraced and the crowd erupted in applause.

. . . Flores calls the court a “heal yourself community.” In the court, he said, vets get to experience the esprit de corps they once had while serving: Everyone backs each other up. Overseeing the vets court is highly rewarding for Flores, who not only considers Baird a

leader in the community, but also a friend. “As a judge, it’s the best work I’ve done in 28 years,” Flores said.

Reminder: Cleveland Veterans Court to Hold "Boot Camp", Vet Court Mentor Training, June 1st & 2nd http://bit.ly/1CL7QNR

Two days of training is being offered to individuals in the Cleveland area willing to serve as mentors to veterans assigned to the special docket at Veterans Court. If you are aware of individuals in the Cleveland area who might be willing to assist a veteran through the court process, please refer them to this Boot Camp link for more on this June1 & 2 program.

Additional resources from my blog

LIST OF NATIONAL AND STATE LEGAL ASSISTANCE RESOURCES FOR VETERANS http://bit.ly/19DC5zu U.S. VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS LOCATIONS http://bit.ly/1Lf1VX5

PTS/TBI/MST

DoD Seeks to Eliminate Stigma for Seeking Mental Health Care http://1.usa.gov/1FNRcD8 The Defense Department wants service members to know there’s no stigma in seeking mental health care, a DoD Health Affairs official said here today.

“We want troops and their families to know DoD has great emphasis on gaining access to mental health care, reducing barriers, and following where the research goes to provide them the best possible care,” said Navy Capt. (Dr.) Michael J. Colston, psychiatrist and director of

mental health policy, health services policy and oversight. May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, said Colston, who noted that anxiety and

depression are extremely common mental health issues. He also related how the department has sought to improve service members’ access to mental health care. “Stigma reduction is something you need to work on every day,” he noted. “We work with our

partners every week, thinking of ways we can enhance access to care and to make psychological, mental health and substance abuse care are totally on par with other forms of medical care.”

Mental health care access is “everywhere,” Colston said. Service members and their families

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can talk to a primary care physician or go to a specialty care clinic. And mental health professionals are embedded during deployments, he added.

During more than a decade of conflict, DoD has quadrupled its number of mental health professionals to help active-duty and transitioning service members and their families, Colston said.

June is PTSD Awareness Month - PTSD Monthly Update, May http://bit.ly/1FVPnEk The National Center for PTSD invites you to Help Raise PTSD Awareness during the month of June to help those with PTSD. We encourage everyone to learn, connect, and share with others.

How to Begin the Referral Process for TBI Treatment at NICoE http://bit.ly/1FHuM5n

Have you noticed that your spouse, family member, or friend hasn’t been the same since they returned from deployment? Perhaps they’re experiencing mood changes, a change in sleeping patterns, constant headaches, or a complete change in demeanor. These are only

some of the symptoms of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and psychological health (PH) conditions. If you have a feeling they might have any sort of invisible wound, encourage them to speak

to a primary care physician about what’s happening and about getting treatment at theNational Intrepid Center of Excellence, or NICoE. Anyone can empower someone to seek help, and seeking help should never be looked down upon.

So what do NICoE patients look like? They are active duty servicemembers with combat and mission-related mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) with psychological health (PH) conditions refractory to conventional treatment.

In order to start the evaluation and treatment process at the NICoE, service members need to be referred by their primary care manager(s). The health care provider should send an email to NICoEReferral@health.mil and request a copy of the referral form.

Once the referral has been received, a medical referral team at NICoE will review and discuss with providers to decide if the servicemember is suitable for the NICoE program. Generally,

the evaluation and diagnosis period takes about four weeks.

Army won’t shut down off-base PTSD program near Fort Drum http://bit.ly/1FVOvzA

Fort Drum (WSYR-TV) – The Army is backing off from its move to shut down a popular PTSD treatment center in Alexandria Bay. The Army initially planned on closing the River Community Wellness Program, relocating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment to an on-

base facility. Fort Drum now says a team approach will be affected, with both the River Hospital and the base providing services.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Traumatic Brain Injury (Army Magazine) http://bit.ly/1FVOECV

Often called the signature wound of Iraq and Afghanistan, mTBI occurs when a sudden trauma disrupts the brain and produces symptoms, which can include physical, emotional,

behavioral and cognitive deficits. More often than not, TBI is diagnosed in veterans who also have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health conditions. The result is a complex constellation of symptoms.

Traumatic Brain Injury News & Information - BrainLine.org

• Ask Smithsonian: What Happens When You Get a Concussion?

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• Joe Namath Talks About Brain Injury, Treatments • Are injuries to the senses overlooked following a brain injury?

• Brain injury: Stories of changed lives • Opinion: ‘We are culprits, too,’ says doctor who documented brain damage in NFL players • Making an impact on concussion • Sometimes what seems like a concussion is something else

• Third of traumatic brain injury patients readmitted • Lessons MLB needs to learn from Justin Morneau's head injury • New Content: Life Goes On

Making a Difference through Research Participation http://bit.ly/1FVTvUH

By Guest Blogger Kerri Roberts, Research Coordinator with the Center for Neuroscience and

Regenerative Medicine (CNRM) . . . If you have had a TBI, or know someone who has had a TBI, I encourage you to get

involved, either by joining a research study or getting the word out on what life is like following a TBI. Communication leads to increased understanding and awareness, which will lead to better diagnosis, treatment and lives for those with TBI. Everyone is unique, which is why understanding the brain is so difficult – no two people will have the exact same

experience following a TBI. But each individual’s unique experience contributes to the large understanding of TBI and the brain in general. Get involved to make a difference.

Research: U.S. Medicine: TBI Symptoms, Severity Differ for Women Veterans But Cause Remains A Mystery http://bit.ly/1cq7fLG

WASHINGTON, DC—As more data is emerging on the short and long-term effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI), researchers are discovering that the injury affects women

differently than it does men. Most notably, there seems to be a differential pattern of post-concussive symptoms among female compared to male OEF/OIF veterans with deployment–related TBI.

“Although women make up a smaller percentage of men that have mild TBI, the post-concussive symptoms that they experience are more severe. It’s important that we get women connected to services, not only for physical problems, but for their cognitive

problems, such as difficulty sleeping and pain problems.”

Research: Traumatic axonal injury and persistent emotional lability in an adolescent following moderate traumatic brain injury: A case study. http://1.usa.gov/1Axvu5R

. . . Paper-and-pencil neurocognitive measures revealed persisting deficits, despite normal-appearing computerized test results. Implications of this case underline the importance of an

integrative evaluation process including clinical interview, neurocognitive and vestibular/ocular physical therapy, and advanced neuroimaging, especially in cases with atypical presentation.

Hope for traumatic brain injury in U.S. troops http://bit.ly/1FVOmw1

Here is the amazing fact. On military bases around the country special TBI-PTS “Intrepid Spirit Centers” (ISCs) are achieving up to 92 percent success rates in returning soldiers,

sailors, air personnel and Marines to their careers, their families, their communities and the extreme demands of combat. The overall level of success (85-92 percent) is comparable to what was achieved against

specific infections when the military introduced penicillin during World War II. Treatment at these centers is estimated to be six to eight years ahead of any other facility in the world.

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Book review: 'Traumatic Brain Injury: A Caregiver's Guide' http://bit.ly/1FVNPdy

What makes this an important book for caregivers who must cope with such traumas and other long term illnesses, especially those that impact a patient’s mental processes, is that

Lydia Greear kept a careful diary of everything that took place following Tad’s accident. She was at his side during the fearful initial days in intensive care, monitored the treatment he received, endured many setbacks and celebrated the small triumphs on his long path to

recovery. While concern for her son’s physical and mental health was her priority, at the same time she was forced to struggle through the quagmire of obtaining the best treatment placement for

him, to constantly monitor medications, to deal with endless paperwork, and to fight an ongoing battle with various government agencies in order to obtain coverage for mounting hospital expenses. As she puts it, “About the time I thought I had figured out things

[Medicaid issues], they were confused again.”

Research: How Brain Science Can Help Explain Discrepancies in a Sexual Assault Survivor's Story http://huff.to/1Av2mMZ

As a counselor on the local rape crisis hotline, it was not the first time I had heard such a demoralizing story of an individual's attempt to report sexual violence to law enforcement. Because her story had been disjointed, and she had stumbled over several sections of it, the

detective had thought that she was confabulating, creating a crime where none had occurred. When I hear of this dynamic, my thoughts often turn to the neuroscience of trauma. The brain's response to trauma is complex, and human behavior in response to trauma,

particularly sexual violence, is not well-understood but recent research does offer some important insights.

Additional resources from my blog

RESURRECTING LIVES FOUNDATION http://bit.ly/1R9toOV

SUICIDE

Evansville organization strives to eliminate suicide among veterans http://bit.ly/1IXVJFF That feeling of being alone is exactly what Shawn Gourley and the people at Military with

PTSD want to eliminate. "Whenever you put it in those numbers, it's hard to imagine," said Gourley. Military with PTSD continues to advance the way veterans and their families receive care.

"With that number there, there's a lot of work to be done," Gourley concluded. To learn more about Military with PTSD, visit their Facebook page.

Sen. Donnelly, rep from Purdue University’s Military Family Research Institute, meet with Hoosier families who’ve lost loved ones to military suicide http://bit.ly/1LMnWNo

INDIANAPOLIS (May 27, 2015) – U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) met with a number of Indiana families Wednesday who’ve lost soldiers to suicide. The ongoing conversation focused on prevention when military suicide rates have reached alarming numbers.

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“This is one of the greatest challenges that our country faces,” Gregg Keesling said, whose son Chancellor committed suicide while serving in Iraq in 2009. “And we’re going to face this

challenge for many years to come.” Donnelly discussed his Service Member Mental Health Care Package before lawmakers with Hoosier families Wednesday, along with a representative from Purdue University’s Military

Family Research Institute. The proposal moving through Congress would grant more options to active military members, specifically expanding opportunities outside the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, to

receive mental health treatment from local providers. . . .

The Weekly Spark: Friday, May 29, 2015 http://bit.ly/1FVQ3JX

Announcements • Interactive webisode: Preventing Death by Suicide: Strategies to Help Children, Youth,

and Families • SPRC Research to Practice Webinar: Emergency Departments: A Key Setting for

Suicide Prevention • NIMH announces new outreach partners

Research • Therapeutic Interventions for Adolescents

News National News

• Army chaplains need training to help suicidal soldiers State News

• Govs Tackle Suicide Prevention

International News

• United Kingdom: The NHS scheme to reduce stigma about suicide

GENERAL NEWS

Harvard neuroscientist: Meditation not only reduces stress, here’s how it changes your brain (WP) http://wapo.st/1SEatwo

Sara Lazar, a neuroscientist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School,

was one of the first scientists to take the anecdotal claims about the benefits of meditation and mindfulness and test them in brain scans. What she found surprised her — that meditating can literally change your brain. She explains:

University of Minnesota trains new nurses to tend to veterans http://strib.mn/1FjBCgY

For the first time, the University of Minnesota School of Nursing is graduating a group of nurses skilled in tending to the health needs of the nation’s veterans.

Summit seeks solution to veteran homelessness in Ala http://bit.ly/1FVRKqL

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A summit at Alabama State University was designed for federal, state and local agencies, so they could discuss working to end veteran homelessness. But

that didn't stop Delano Caldwell from showing up for answers. The 40-year-old U.S. Navy veteran came to the meeting on Wednesday looking for affordable housing.

. . . ASU and its radio station hosted the summit in an effort to help homeless in the River

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Region and throughout the state receive the help, assistance and attention they deserve. The summit was organized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Of Words & Warriors - Writers Guild of America, West. http://bit.ly/1RyDaJx

In a weekend that was exhilarating and humbling, powerful and beautifully simple, the Writers Guild Foundation hosted its second annual Veterans Writing Workshop, a mentoring program for veterans interested in learning how to write.

Twenty-five WGAW writers of every stripe – screenwriters and novelists, journalists and joke writers, show creators and staff writers, Oscar nominees and Emmy winners – took the time to share what they knew about the craft of writing to three generations of American veterans from every branch of the military. Some had never put pen to paper; others had scripts and

novels well in progress. They all had stories to tell (not all of them about military service), and they had come to learn how to tell them.

Both a sponsor of the weekend and a mentor, writer and producer Winnie Holzman explained why the Foundation became involved with the veteran community: “As writers, we understand the power of self-expression, the difference it can make in one’s life. And veterans have so much to express and a strong need to be heard.” Her partner introducing

the event, film and television writer and WGAW Board member Robin Schiff agreed, adding: “Writing saved my life. This is an opportunity for them to blossom, be creative, and for us to let them know we cared.”

In groups of five guided by two or three mentors, 50 veterans eased into their sessions with some personal background (as much or as little as they wished to tell), their level of writing experience (from none to finished work), and their goals. Some sessions started things off

with writing exercises, like: Write a letter to someone you have unresolved feelings about; others went for real-world observations: Go across the street, pick two people at random,

and write their back stories. The vets rose to every occasion, crafting material that was poignant, clever, funny, sad, and heartfelt. Mentoring for his second year, film and television

writer and former WGAW President Christopher Knopf, himself a veteran of World War II, was impressed with “the level of intelligence all the vets seem to have, and how far along they were as writers.” . . .

If you’d like to participate and/or contribute to the Writers Guild Foundation’s Veterans

Writing Workshop, please call 323-782-4692 or email: Kevin Ott for more information on how

to get involved and support the Foundation’s ongoing community outreach efforts

KPBS San Diego Veterans Radio Program: Incoming, Episode 4 (Podcast) http://bit.ly/1K1aYgb

May 28, 2015 12:07 p.m., A veteran goes through the motions of school, but with the weight of war on his mind. He also shares how PTSD colors life in surprising ways. And a militarized academic discusses writing as therapy for veterans and the importance of waiting in the military.

National Certification Management System (NCMS) for Veteran Owned Businesses Launched http://bit.ly/1cq60vK

Detroit, MI. The National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) the leading third party certification organization for Veteran Owned Businesses has launched its National Certification Management Systems (NCMS).

The NCMS provides Service Disabled and Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOB/VOBs) and

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Sponsors with an easy and intuitive web based interface to complete the certification process. The NCMS provides a fast, accurate, and reliable way for SDVOB/VOBs, sponsors and

employers to process, review and share SDVOB/VOBs certifications.

NIH: Training for the Future http://1.usa.gov/1HJI1mG

A lot has been written about the gap between modern neuroscience and contemporary psychiatry, sometimes caricatured as mindless neuroscience versus brainless psychiatry. Patients and families will need the field to overcome this gap if the power of modern

neuroscience is to improve outcomes for people with autism or other serious mental illnesses. How do we bridge this gap? To some extent, this problem is resolving itself. Every year more neuroscientists choose to train in psychiatry. The psychiatric residency program at Yale

received applications from 60 M.D.-Ph.D. students this year, for only 16 positions. Other psychiatry programs also reported a spike in the number of Ph.D. neuroscientists who applied for post-graduate training after completing medical school.

Research: NIH: Creative Minds: Building a Better Electronic Health Record http://1.usa.gov/1LMp0AF

Preliminary research shows that, depending upon the VHA facility, the same type of healthcare provider caring for the same type of patient may have to process as few as 5 or as many as 40 electronic reminders relating to preventive care and disease management.

Building upon this work, David Chan, Now an assistant professor at Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA and a physician-scientist with Veterans Affairs (VA) Palo Alto Health Care, will study in greater detail how electronic reminders vary not only in number, but in topic breadth, complexity, and comprehensibility. Most importantly, he will analyze the

impact of all of these factors upon the productivity and efficiency of healthcare professionals and the quality of care received by patients.

Such work is part of a much larger, ongoing NIH effort to generate the evidence base needed to guide the design, use, and evaluation of an ever-expanding array of health information technologies. For example, the recently announced Precision Medicine Initiative will enable volunteer participants to partner with researchers to develop creative new approaches for the

gathering, use, and sharing of genomic, health, and lifestyle information via EHRs, mobile health devices, social media, and other electronic information platforms.

SU/SBA: V-WISE -- VETERAN WOMEN IGNITING THE SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP http://bit.ly/1FVZ59R

Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE), offered in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), provides the tools women veterans, active

duty and female family members need to become successful entrepreneurs. V-WISE enables women veterans to find their passion and learn business-savvy skills to turn ideas or businesses into growth ventures.

A three-phase program, V-WISE is offered to 200 participants per session, and includes two tracks of training; a growth track for participants already in business, and a start-up track, focused on potential entrepreneurs. Courses include business planning, marketing,

accounting/finance, operations/production, human resources and work-life balance. Ongoing support and mentorship is delivered online and through a robust, comprehensive network of mentors and partners.

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Challenge America http://bit.ly/1IXM8yy Honorary Co-Founders: Amy Grant and Vince Gill

Challenge America™ answers the question of “When it happens, where do we go?” for returning military and their families. By working with communities across the United States to link new and existing services, and by supporting the development of recreational, occupational and housing programs, Challenge America is better able to serve those

individuals in their home communities.

Reminder: MI: Genesee County to host 'Homeless Veteran Stand Down' Friday, June 12 http://bit.ly/1IWc2Tk

FLINT, MI — Three locations in Ann Arbor, Saginaw and Genesee County will host a Homeless Veteran Stand Down initiative to provide resources to at-risk veterans.

The VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System's Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program, Saginaw VA Medical Center and the Genesee County Veterans Council of Michigan will host a program to prevent homelessness and help veterans.

California: 2015 Gold Country Stand Down For Homeless Veterans, Sept. 15-17, Roseville, CA http://bit.ly/1HJDqkp

Provided at Stand Down • Meals & overnight stays • Dental, Medical, & Eye Services • Veterinarian Services

• Haircuts • Clothes and personal care supplies • VA Benefit Assistance • Health & Human Service Assistance

Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA), June 24th, Salem. OR http://bit.ly/1BoLv9x

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than by hosting the state’s first ever Veteran Benefit Expo. This event will be held on June 24 from 10 am to 2 pm, at the Salem Convention Center and is free for veterans and their family.

For the first time ever, our goal is to provide a “one stop shop” experience bringing together state and federal benefits and programs as well as valuable community resources.

There will be more than 50 different state and federal benefits representatives and more than 30 community resource organizations including Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, VA Healthcare System, Veteran Benefit Administration, US Department of Labor Vets, Oregon

Employment Department, Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles, Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industry, Oregon Department of Housing & Community Services, Oregon National Guard, Oregon Department of Parks & Recreation, Oregon Department of Hunting & Fishing, Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, Social Security Administration, Oregon

Department of Revenue.

Jackson, Mississippi to host national festival October 10-16, 2016 http://1.usa.gov/1FVPxvs

The G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center will be the site of the 2016 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival center director Joe Battle announced this week. The festival

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will be held October 10-16, 2016. The festival serves as the culmination of talent competitions in art, creative writing, dance, drama and music for Veterans treated in the VA

national health care system, and features the final awards and art show.

Operation We Are Here Veterans Resource Directory http://bit.ly/1Ryw6N3 Editor's Note: A very extensive list of resources for military and veteran families, and their supporters.

MAKE THE CONNECTION http://bit.ly/1FVYrJj

Shared experiences and support for Veterans

Student loan provider to repay $60 million to military vets http://bit.ly/1FVS2Oh

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has secured $60 million in refunds for military veterans it

contends were illegally charged too much interest on their student loans. The student loan service provider formerly known as Sallie Mae, which has since changed its name to Navient Corp., will begin issuing the refunds next month to 77,795 veterans who were overcharged for their educations.

The refunds will range from checks of $10 to more than $100,000. The average veteran will receive about $770 back from Navient, the DOJ noted. This is the first time the federal

government has sued a student loan company for charging military veterans too much interest.

Additional resources from my blog

• ADDITIONAL RESROUCES FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS http://bit.ly/1Gg21LH • VETERANS JOB LISTINGS AND HIRING FAIRS WEBSITES http://bit.ly/19Dz2ay

• EVENTS FOR VETERANS & VETERANS SERVICE PROVIDERS http://bit.ly/1Gg1nOi • 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. Subgroups include Veterans Treatment Courts, Mental Health, Female Veterans, and Peer & Mentoring. Access our group at http://linkd.in/1947vfS Facebook:

www.facebook.com/veteransinjustice

Join The National Discussion - 1,203 Professionals in VIJ

Active Topics

• Turned Away by the VA: Veterans Most at Risk of Suicide Are Least Able to Get Care

• This is a cause we can all get behind: Overturning Feres • STEPHEN MILANO: New technology to help cut veteran drug misuse • Veterans Seeking Equal Status & Protection • Veterans Seeking Solutions

• More . . .

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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

Four subgroups created: • Veterans Treatment Courts http://linkd.in/145DdHc • Mental Health http://linkd.in/12QFCjI • Female Veterans http://linkd.in/145CTbn • Peer Support & Mentoring http://linkd.in/145D32G

Cuyahoga County Ohio Veterans and Supporters (Bryan A. McGown "Gunny") http://linkd.in/Zxwx1f Veteran Employment Representatives http://linkd.in/ZxwUcc 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) 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 cruzzen@gmail.com 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. 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 fell 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, cruzzen@gmail.com, @OHCircuitRider

Ohio Attorney General's Task Force on Criminal Justice & Mental Illness

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Veterans In The Courts Initiative

Editor/Publisher - Veterans Treatment Court News Daily

Editor/Publisher - Traumatic Brain Injury News Daily