CONNECT-A-VET: FIRST CIRCUIT VETERANS TREATMENT COURT REACHES OUT TO VETERANS IN THE COMMUNITY

News Release from Hawaii Judiciary March 18, 2016

HONOLULU, HI- The Veterans Treatment Court of the First Circuit teamed up with community service providers to host the Hawaii State Judiciary’s first “Connect-A-Vet” resource fair, aimed at assisting veterans in the community. The event provided information on Veterans Treatment Court, offered assistance with completing applications and other documents to help expedite access to veterans’ services.

The service providers who helped make this resource fair possible were: the Army Substance Abuse Program; Veterans Benefits Administration; Veterans to Nurses; Catholic Charities Hawaii; US Army Hawaii-Suicide Prevention Program; Cloudbreak Hawaii; Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); VA Pacific Islands Health Care System; the Salvation Army; Disabled American Veterans; and the City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Housing.

“We wanted to provide a one-stop-shop for our veterans to access more information and get assistance with forms, so they can begin receiving many of the benefits they have earned,” said Judge Edward Kubo, Presiding Judge of the First Circuit Veterans Treatment Court. “I’d like to thank all the service providers and the Veterans Treatment Court team for making today’s resource fair possible.”

U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, U.S. Representative Mark Takai, and the City and County of Honolulu City Council commended the Veterans Treatment Court team for their outstanding outreach to veterans in the community.

“One of the keys to success of the Veterans Treatment Court is getting the veterans the healthcare assistance they need, whether it’s to address service-related injuries, mental health issues, or provide substance abuse treatment,” said Amy Rohlfs, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System Public Affairs Officer. “That’s why we’re here today. When our veterans are able to heal physically and mentally, they are able to take on the other challenges in front of them and get back on their feet again.”

Another vital component of First Circuit’s Veterans Treatment Court is the 25 mentors who come alongside each court participant to help support them through the process of recovery. Many of the mentors were at the resource fair today offering their assistance and support to those navigating the various informational booths and assisting individuals interested in the Veterans Treatment Court referral process.

The mission of the Veterans Treatment Court is to enhance public safety by holding veterans accountable for their behavior, while providing a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation. This comprehensive approach includes access to substance abuse and mental health treatment, and assistance with housing and job training. For more information, please visit: Veterans Court Web Page .

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