VTC Summer Graduation
Just ahead of the 4th of July, nine people graduated from our Veterans Treatment Court. The ceremony was held July third in the historic old courthouse rotunda across the street from the Justice Center.
Under Judge Andrew Santoli, VTC seeks to divert veterans from the traditional criminal justice system by providing them with the unique tools they need. Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne attended, and a peer specialist was the keynote speaker.
The Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judges voted in fall of 2014 to create the Veterans Treatment Court. Combat veterans often have issues when they return home from their service. The most serious issues include engaging in high-risk conduct, unemployment, post-traumatic stress syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, homelessness, drugs, and crime. '
Studies have shown that 18% to 30% of veterans need treatment for these issues and the Veterans Treatment Court addresses them.
