
Click the “Download PDF” link above to access the full (54MB), 680 page Veterans Court Guide.
To access the “Table of Contents” of the 2014 Veterans Court Guide individual sections, click here. (PDF)
Click the appropriate toggle below to view and download section documents as PDFs.
[toggle open=”no” title=”a. History of Veterans Courts (3 Documents)”]
The information contained in this section describes the creation of the first Veterans Court in 2008 in Buffalo, New York, and the establishment of these courts in the State of Alabama. Specific items included in this section are as follows:
- Introduction to History of Veterans Courts
- History of Veterans Courts
- Glassford, Jeremiah M., Note, In War, There are no Unwounded Soldiers The Emergence of Veterans Treatment Courts in Alabama, 65 Ala. Law Rev. 239 (2013)
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[toggle open=”no” title=”b. Model Program Forms (5 Documents)”]
This section contains information relating contains forms and other guidance necessary to establish and operate a Veterans Court in the State of Alabama. These forms, which were developed by Veterans Court judges and key personnel, may be reproduced and redistributed. PDF versions of these forms are provided. Specific forms included in this section are as follows:
- Introduction to Program Forms
- Memorandum of Understanding
- Veterans Court Application
- Veterans Court Form Orders
- Veterans Court Intake Packet
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[toggle open=”no” title=”c. Key Personnel (4 Documents)”]
This section contains information relating to the roles and core competencies for personnel necessary to the operation of a Veterans Court in the State of Alabama. The duties and responsibilities of these persons are included, as well as the 10 Key Components for a successful Veterans Court. Contact information for other personnel, such as Veterans Service Officers, is also provided. Specific items included in this section are as follows:
- Introduction to Key Personnel
- ADVA Veterans Service Officer DirectoryContact Information (by County)
- Veterans Court Team Members-Core Competence Guide (VTCPIT)
- The Ten Key Components of Veterans Treatment Courts
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[toggle open=”no” title=”d. Mentor Guide (4 Documents)”]
This section contains training materials for the Veteran Mentors that serve in the Veterans Courts. These materials include the eligibility requirements to be a Mentor, the duties and responsibilities of Mentors, and a description of the court proceedings. Word versions of these materials are provided for courts to modify the guide to reflect the needs of their jurisdiction. Specific items in this section are as follows:
- Introduction to Mentor Guide
- Veterans Court Program Mentor Guide
- Veterans Court Mentoring Program Application Form
- Veterans Court Participant Fact Sheet
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[toggle open=”no” title=”e. Military Acronyms (2 Documents)”]
This section contains a glossary of military terms and acronyms that will assist Veterans Court personnel in communicating and assisting a Veteran participant.
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[toggle open=”no” title=”f. Substance Abuse Counseling (4 Documents)”]
The information contained in this section describes substance abuse counseling services available to Veterans and their family members. This information will assist court personnel in accessing substance abuse treatment for Veterans participating in the Veterans Court. Specific materials included in this section are as follows:
VA
- i. Descriptions of VA SUD Treatment Programs in the SUD Program Locator
- ii. Summary of VA Treatment Programs for Substance Use Programs
Non-VA
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[toggle open=”no” title=”g. Mental Health Counseling (5 Documents)”]
The information contained in this section describes mental health counseling services available to Veterans and their family members. This information will assist court personnel in accessing mental health treatment for Veterans participating in the Veterans Court.
VA
Non-VA
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[toggle open=”no” title=”h. Academic and Vocational Training (7 Documents)”]
The information contained in this section describes academic and vocational training to Veterans. This information will assist court personnel in accessing academic/vocational training for Veterans participating in the Veterans Court. Specific materials included in this section are as follows:
- Introduction to Academic and Vocational Training
- Summary of VA Education Benefits
- Higher Education Resources for Veterans and their Families
- Alabama Community College System Veterans Services
- Summary of VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits
- Veterans Affairs Assistants (at Alabama State Schools)
- Purple Heart Tuition Waiver Bill (Act No. 2009-590)
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[toggle open=”no” title=”i. Employment (6 Documents)”]
This section contains information relating to employment opportunities for Veterans participating in a Veterans Court. Information about job fairs and employment summits targeting Veterans is also provided. Specific items provided are as follows:
- Introduction to Employment
- Summary of VA Vocational and Employment Benefits
- Alabama Career Centers with Veterans Employment Representatives
- Reinventing Michael Banks Link
- i. H2H Contact Information
- ii. 2014 Job FairsHiring Events
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[toggle open=”no” title=”j. Housing (6 Documents)”]
This information is intended to provide an overview for the Veteran Mentor to assist with identifying available housing assistance. In most instances, applicants will need to approach the housing provider for information regarding availability and eligibility.
State and Federal VA Housing Options
VA Housing Grant Programs
Summary of VA Home Loan Guaranty Benefits under the USDVA Home Loan Program
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[toggle open=”no” title=”k. Additional Services (24 Documents)”]
Many times veterans in the justice system are also in need of additional assistance to successfully transition to self-sufficiency. This section is intended to be used by VC coordinators and mentors to advise veterans of other available resources. The listing below is indicative of the types of resources available to veterans in many Alabama jurisdictions, however each jurisdiction is different and service providers should be contacted at the local level. Resources available in a jurisdiction may be organized by subject.
Medical (7 Documents)
- i. VA Health Care Benefits
- ii. TriCare for Life
- iii. TriCare for Life Handbook
- iv. CHAMPVA Fact Sheet Eligibility
- v. CHAMPVA FAQs
- vi. CHAMPVA Handbook
- vii. Community Clinics
Dental (2 Documents)
Transportation (2 Documents)
Clothes and Shoes (1 Document)
Civil Legal Assistance (10 Documents)
- i. Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Services
- ii. Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program
- iii. Birmingham Bar Association Birmingham Volunteer Lawyer Program, Inc
- iv. Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program
- v. South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program
- vi. Legal Services of Alabama
- vii. The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
- viii. Alabama National Guard Legal Assistance Program
- ix. Alabama Supreme Court Commission on Dispute Resolution Mini-Grant Application
- x. Alabama Supreme Court Commission on Dispute Resolution Mini-Grant Application
Life Insurance (1 Document)
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[toggle open=”no” title=”l. VA Pension Benefits (4 Documents)”]
The information contained in this section describes pension benefits available to eligible Veterans through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This information will assist court personnel in accessing pension benefits for eligible Veterans. Specific items included in this section are as follows:
- Introduction to VA Pension Benefits
- Summary of VA Pension Benefits
- Presumptive Disability Conditions
- FAQs (about Eligibility for VA Pension Benefits)
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[toggle open=”no” title=”m. National Guard & Reserve Members & Veterans (3 Documents)”]
The information contained in this section describes benefits unique to National Guard and Reserve Members. This information will assist court personnel in accessing resources for members of the National Guard and Reserves participating in the Veterans Court. Specific materials included in this section are as follows:
- Introduction to NG and Reserves
- Summary of VA Benefits for National Guard and Reserve Members and Veterans
- Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program
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[toggle open=”no” title=”n. VA Dependents’ & Survivors’ Benefits (3 Documents)”]
The information contained in this section describes benefits available to eligible dependents and survivors of military personnel. This material will assist court personnel in accessing resources for family members of Veterans participating in the Veterans Court. Specific materials included in this section are as follows:
- Introduction to Dependents & Survivors Benefits
- Summary of VA Dependents’ and Survivors’ Benefits
- Alabama G.I. Dependents’ Scholarship Program (ADVA)
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