May 18-22, 2020
The Tribal Law and Policy Institute (TLPI), in partnership with the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), Justice for Vets (JFV), and the American Indian and Alaska Native Addiction Technology Transfer Center are pleased to offer this free five-day Tribal Veterans Healing to Wellness Court – Virtual Training highlighting important considerations for serving and treating Native veterans.
Tribal Veteran Wellness Courts are restorative justice dockets established to respond to the offenses and treatment needs of veterans who are diagnosed with substance abuse. They are managed by a multidisciplinary team familiar with the unique experience and issues of Native veterans. They can operate as stand-alone dockets or as part of a more general Healing to Wellness Court.
The Tribal Veterans Healing to Wellness Court -Virtual Training will bring together tribal courts, state courts, and veteran service providers, along with scholars, technical assistance providers, and researchers to discuss Tribal Veteran Healing to Wellness courts, strategies for serving rural and tribal communities, and partnerships with law enforcement.
The training will include an overview of the Tribal Veteran Healing to Wellness court model, best practices of Tribal Veteran Healing to Wellness courts, special considerations for veterans, special considerations for Native populations, and unique resources for tribal and veteran service providers, recent academic observations and insights, along with best practices and field-initiated innovations into best serving tribal veterans.
Day 1: Monday, May 18, 2020 – 75 minutes
9:00 am AK /10:00 am PT / 11:00 am MT / 12:00 pm CT / 1:00 pm ET
A Native American Docket: Eighth Judicial District of Montana (PowerPoint) (Session Recording)
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Description: This session will provide a summary of the model developed by the Eighth District, Native American Docket staff, which has provided more culturally relevant services, as well as improved collaboration with tribal partners to serve their participants for better and more long-lasting outcomes. In light of a significant portion of the docket including American Indians and Alaska Native participants, the Eighth Judicial District of Montana established a Native American docket, devoted solely to the Native population.
Day 2: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 – 75 minutes
9:00 am AK /10:00 am PT / 11:00 am MT / 12:00 pm CT / 1:00 pm ET
Co-Occurring Disorders (PowerPoint) (Session Recording)
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Description: This session will cover what the Healing to Wellness Court team should consider at the time of assessment, what the latest research says about treating this population and modalities of therapy that are proven effective. Many individuals who apply to Healing to Wellness Courts, not only have an addiction, but also mental health concerns. It can be challenging for Healing to Wellness Court staff to determine if the program is a viable option for these individual with co-occurring disorders.
Day 3: Wednesday, May 20, 2020 – 150 minutes
9:00 am AK /10:00 am PT / 11:00 am MT / 12:00 pm CT / 1:00 pm ET
Native Veterans: Treatment Considerations (PowerPoint) (Session Recording)
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Description: This presentation will provide an overview of the National American Indian and Alaska Native Addiction Technology Transfer Center’s curriculum for serving Native veterans. Topics will include the history and context of warriors and veterans in Native societies; unique considerations for the role of trauma as distinct from non-veterans; and resources that both tribal and non-tribal communities can leverage to provide culturally competent care. This session will include a Q&A discussion section.
Day 4: Thursday, May 21, 2020 – 75 minutes
9:00 am AK /10:00 am PT / 11:00 am MT / 12:00 pm CT / 1:00 pm ET
Mitigating Trauma in Courthouses: Understanding the Science of the Brain and Trauma Responses; Historical Trauma; and Substance Use Disorders (PowerPoint) (Handout 1) (Handout 2) (Handout 3) (Handout 4) (Session Recording)
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Description: The primary goal of this session is to improve the way court stakeholders and justice partners interact with survivors of trauma and people struggling with substance misuse. This session will (1) describe how acute and chronic trauma—including military trauma, domestic violence, child abuse, substance use disorders, and historical trauma– may change the structure of the brain and protein expression; (2) discuss why a trauma response may be triggered and what it may look like (fight, flight, freeze, surrender); (3) explain what it means to be a trauma-responsive and trauma-informed court; and (4) provide practical ideas for incorporating strategies to help court systems be more trauma informed and trauma responsive. Judge McGinnis will delve into the neuroscience of trauma, including historical trauma, and walk the audience through the areas of the brain that play important roles in trauma responses. She will discuss structural changes commonly found in the brains of trauma survivors, including people struggling with substance use disorders, that may explain some frustrating behaviors. The presentation combines resources and research to give attendees practical tools and resources in improving court interactions and environment for survivors of trauma.
Day 5: Friday, May 22, 2020 – 75 minutes
9:00 am AK /10:00 am PT / 11:00 am MT / 12:00 pm CT / 1:00 pm ET
Why Have a Veterans Treatment Court (PowerPoint) (Session Recording)
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– Mark Panasiewicz, Program Director, National Association of Drug Court Professionals
Description: This session will provide a brief overview of veterans treatment courts. It reviews the impact that military culture as well as multiple clinical and criminogenic needs, have on justice involved veterans. Strategies and best practices when working with this challenging population are discussed. Attendees will be able to identify what a veterans treatment court is; learn why we have them; identify elements of veteran culture; identify the needs of veterans in the veterans treatment court; and will learn about resources available for developing a veteran treatment court.