Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Criminal Justice topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rockingham County Veterans Treatment Court reports early successes, expects first completions within 14 months
Summary
Coordinator Chrissy Griffin told commissioners the Veterans Treatment Court has five active participants, trained mentors, and collaborative team support; the program emphasizes long treatment timelines, frequent screens and individualized plans and expects first completions within the standard 14‑month program length.
Chrissy Griffin, Rockingham County Veterans Treatment Court coordinator, updated the county commissioners on Jan. 20 about the program’s structure, team and early outcomes.
Griffin outlined the court’s mission to support justice‑involved veterans through accountability and treatment addressing service‑related challenges such as PTSD, substance use and mental health needs. She listed team members and partners including district court judges Erica Brandon and Scott Skidmore, District Attorney Katie Gregg, defense counsel Tim Dugan, probation leadership, mentors and treatment providers. Griffin said the program assigns veteran mentors and requires participants to volunteer for at least 14 months, submit to frequent drug screens, report to probation and attend court twice a month.
"We're not checking boxes, we're changing lives," Griffin said, summarizing the program’s focus on individualized treatment and accountability. She reported that all five current participants are actively engaged in treatment and compliance and that the program anticipates first program completions within the typical 14‑month timeframe.
Commissioners thanked Griffin and partners for the work and noted the program’s early staffing transitions; Griffin said staffing is adequate for the program’s current size. No formal action was taken; commissioners expressed continued support and asked for future updates on participant outcomes and completion milestones.
Next steps: The court will continue to track outcomes, refine operations and provide regular updates to the board as participants progress through the program.
