Wisc. County Launches 'Veterans Court'

Wisc. County Launches 'Veterans Court'
January 06, 2010
La Crosse Tribune, Wis.

Under a new program in La Crosse County, Wisc., any veteran involved in an incident with local law enforcement will be assigned a mentor who also is a veteran, and the state's top judge believes the program has national implications.

"This is a pioneer effort," Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson said in an online video. "Not only for Wisconsin but across the country."

The La Crosse County Veterans Court Initiative kicked off Jan. 4 with a courthouse ceremony recognizing mentors who will assist veterans in the legal system. The mentor can discuss options on applying for veterans benefits and then get the person to meet with the county Veterans Service officer and do follow-up screenings for potential mental health issues.

Several mentors were sworn in and will work to recruit and train additional mentors.

A large number of veterans suffer from mental health problems associated with military service, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain or blast injury and suicidal thoughts, Bjerke said.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/wisc-county-launches-veterans-court.html?col=1186032310810

And Shirley Abrahamson really does.