Courts are Responding to The Needs of Veterans
May 26, 2010
By Ginny Estupinian
In previous posts I have mentioned the need of the American legal system to take into consideration the needs of veterans who may be suffering from mental health issues such as post traumatic stress disorder and brain injuries.
In November, the U.S. Supreme Court tossed out convicted murderer George Porter’s death sentence because his Florida jury wasn’t told of the Korean War vets’ combat-induced post traumatic stress syndrome.
“Our nation has a long tradition of according leniency to veterans in recognition of their service, especially for those who fought on the front lines as Porter did,” said the Supreme Court in its opinion.
Similarly s few weeks before, an Iraq veteran from Oregon was found guilty-but-insane of murder because of post traumatic stress syndrome.
Finally, earlier this month, the U.S. Sentencing Commission said federal judges will be permitted to take into account military service when considering sentence reductions, beginning Nov. 1.
The first specialty court created to deal exclusively with veterans was launched in Buffalo, N.Y. in January 2008. There are now 31 such courts operating in every corner of the country: About a dozen more are in the late-planning stages and several states are considering legislation to open veterans courts.
A federal bill is pending in Congress that would provide billions of dollars in grants for these courts. The main difference with veterans courts is their focus on rehabilitation rather than incarceration. Veterans are required to immediately plead guilty to their crimes and then generally are placed on probation but must adhere to a strict regimen of counseling, employment and sobriety.
The courts are manned by more than judges and lawyers. Counselors, Department of Veterans Affairs officials and volunteer veterans — “mentors” — keep close tabs on the defendant.
Many times it is only after going through this process veterans first discover the many benefits they are eligible for such as medical and psychological care.
A Two Day Workshop for Ohio Veterans Needing Help Finding Jobs
January 14, 2009
Bu Ginn Estupinian
On January 15th and 16th the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will be conducting a workshop for veterans transitioning into the civilian workforce. This program is designed to help veterans learn job searching skills and be able to match their military experience with potential employers.
The program will be taking place both days at the AMVETS Post 26 in Mansfield at 1100 W. Fourth St.
The workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
By Ginny Estupinian
Here are two current items that can be of help to veterans and their families.
Veterans Job Fair set to take place on April 10th at Heinz Field. This job fair is open to anyone with a military background, including National Guard and Reserve members and military spouses. This is a great opportunity to meet prospective employers and explore possibilities in a environment that understands the value that veterans can provide.
The CARE-LINE service in North Carolina NOW provides round the clock service in order to respond to the needs of veterans and their families.
Reach CARE-LINE 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (800) 662-7030 (English or Spanish) or (877) 452-2514 (TTY). Additional information is online at http://www.nccarelink.gov.
New Survey Shows That 25% of Veterans Are Dealing with PTSD.
March 19, 2008
By Ginny Estupinian
Recently, the Central Connecticut State University Center for Public Policy and Social Research completed a survey of returning state troops. The survey clearly demonstrated that at least ¼ of those returning veterans met the criteria for being diagnosed for post-traumatic stress disorder. Some of the problems that these returning veterans cited as most troubling included, problems with their spouse and partners, and difficulties “connecting emotionally with family”. The survey further showed that about 19% of the respondents met the criteria that they are at risk for traumatic brain injury. It is believed that the experiences of Connecticut veterans are similar to other veterans around the country. In fact, the Defense Department formed a task force in 2007 and found that about 38% of soldiers reported some mental health concerns in the months after returning from deployment. The Defense Department report showed that the mental health concerns were as much as 49% higher for those veterans who had served as part of the National Guard.
If there is one thing that is indicative of these reports it is the sheer size of the need for mental health services that exists for returning veterans. We must remember that this is only a sample of the totality of mental issues that veterans are dealing with nationwide. The harsh reality is that our current system, in its present state, is not capable of tackling all these needs. More funding and research needs to be funneled to this very important issue. The value of these reports lies in begin able to bring to the forefront the gravity of the situation and allow for better understanding of what veterans are dealing with.
In a previous posting I discussed how law enforcement in some parts of the country are now looking at the disrupted behavior by veterans. By having an understanding that a veteran may be facing some mental health challenges it is allowing for emergency services to more effectively handle situations rather than assume that it is a criminal manner.
A bit of good news was announced this week by the Veterans Medical Center in Wichita Kansas. The center is expanding its mental health department to accommodate the increase in post traumatic stress disorders by expanding its facility and the mental health staff.
By Ginny Estupinian
On February 13, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a $6 million grant program aimed at helping Veterans to find jobs. The money will be spread through various state agencies and organizations across California who in turn will be matching almost $4 million in additional funds for a total investment of nearly $10 million. For example, $500,000 of this grant is going to the Fresno Based State Center Community College District and an additional $500,000 is going to the Bay Area, San Francisco Based, Swords to Plowshares organization.. Overall it is expected that 1500 newly discharged veterans will be helped by these grants in making the transition from military service to civilian workforce.
In Iowa the State Senate approved Senate File 2124 last month in an effort to help veterans get more help paying for prescription drugs, in hone nursing care, car repairs, and other expenses. The bill still needs to get through the Iowa House before it becomes law, but is a step in right direction to providing the assistance that these Veterans need.
