Freeholder Actions: Board Advocates Veterans Treatment Court System

CREST HAVEN – Veterans Treatment Courts won thumbs up from freeholders March 8 in a resolution that endorsed their creation.
The action was taken in light of the number of veterans who are involved with the criminal justice system who need assistance with drug abuse and or mental health challenges.
It noted that in 2010 the state enacted a bill establishing a task force to study the treatment of veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in court proceedings.
The model for those courts is “based on drug treatment and or mental health treatment courts where substance abuse or mental health treatment is offered as an alternative to incarceration with other veterans who function as mentors.
Such courts are aimed at affording veterans a way to overcome challenges they face and maximize utilization of Department of Veterans Affairs resources and to ensure they receive the treatment and care “they are owed,” according to the resolution.
Further, the resolution cites 12,000 veterans make up 9 percent those involved in the state’s criminal justice system. It noted 82 percent of them are eligible for VA services, while 18 percent have no access to those services.
The state is home to 712,000 veterans, 16th highest in the nation, while it is one of only 15 states lacking a Veterans Treatment Court System.
Finally, it urges the state Veterans PTSD Task Force to “find in favor” of forming a Veterans Treatment Court System.
In other action the board:
Supported use of Atlantic City Rescue Mission for emergency housing, and urged the state Department of Human Services to approved a memorandum of understanding to allow the county to send homeless to that facility, since it has counseling and training unavailable locally.
Recognized the 195th anniversary Greek Independence Day March 25, with the Greek flag to fly at the county administration building March 19. It cited St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church and the Greek-American community in the county as “beacons of the Greek language, culture, values, heritage, civilization and Hellenic ideals.
Authorized adoption of a service animal protocol for the County Park and Zoo.
Approved an application to state Department of Environmental Protection for Ocean City High School crew facility, a public pier and dock that will be used by the team in a county right-of-way on Roosevelt Boulevard near Cook Horn Creek.
Approved labor contract with Prosecutor’s Employees Organization covering all regular full-time clerical and stenographic employees in that department for the period from Jan. 1, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2017.
Named Michael Morano as chairman, Cornelius Byrne Jr., as vice chairman, and Dale Foster secretary of the county Construction Board of Appeals for the year. Reappointed William R. Callahan as member of that entity with a term expiring Dec. 14, 2019.
Authorized shared services agreement with City of Cape May for funding of Cape May’s Lafayette Street Park Phase 3, in amount $1,177,000 as part of the Open Space program.
Granted permission for Ocean Drive Run Club, Inc. to hold the annual marathon from Cape May to Sea Isle City March 20 along the county-owned roadway and bridges.
Corrected a resolution awarding a $2,500 contract to the Hanson Organization for appraisal of Marshallville-Yanks Farm, Upper Township for possible inclusion in the Open Space-Farmland Preservation program.