HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0621.003 2016-2018 Pl Counlc
From: Maurice C. Messina, Mentor- Big Island Veterans Treatment Court
RE: TESTIMONY REGARDING COMMUNICATION 621 Obi 5 -pf-e-4-
Honorable Chair Poindexter, Honorable Vice Chair Eoff, and Honorable members of the County Council,
County of Hawai'i,this testimony is submitted in regards to Comm. 621, specifically, concerning the Big
Island Veterans Treatment Court(BIVTC).
Many veterans present symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)and/or traumatic brain injury
(TBI), and there is growing evidence that these behavioral health disorders, if left untreated, may lead to
involvement in the criminal justice system. Veterans Treatment Courts were established to help
facilitate the return of veterans to contributing citizens of the community,and the BIVTC is here to
rehabilitate veterans instead of incarcerating them.
The idea of veteran's treatment courts is similar to drug courts —giving some offenders, usually accused
of low-level crimes,the option of a treatment program as an alternative to jail. In the case of BIVTC,the
treatment and mentoring is tailored to and often carried out by those who have served in the armed
forces.
As a Mentor of the BIVTC, I quickly learned that veterans mentoring veterans is a key part of the
program. Mentors, along with the treatment team, help veterans find services such as Veterans Affairs
health care, and benefits like the GI Bill, but mentors also provide guidance from a perspective non-
veterans often cannot understand.
I had the privilege of mentoring two veterans who graduated the BIVTC and have seen first-hand how
this program is a success–not just in Hawai'i County, but the Nation. Any assistance you can provide in
ensuring that the BIVTC continues to help veterans will not only benefit the veteran, but the citizens of
Hawai'i County as well.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify in this matter.
Maurice C. Messina
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