News Release
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
East Tennessee Veterans Treatment Court Committee
865-336-2624
September 10, 2014
KNOX COUNTY — The Knox County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) celebrated its first justice involved veteran graduation, highlighting the accomplishments of the rigorous treatment program.
The graduation ceremony included Knox County Veterans Treatment Court Judge Honorable Chuck Cerny, TN VA Commissioner Many-bears Grinder, TN VA Assistant Commissioner Don Smith, Knox County Veterans Treatment Court Director Ron Hanaver, Senior VTC Mentors Dean Powell and Ed Junod, VTC Mentor Jim Parker, VTC staff and other participants
Similar to over 150 operational Veterans Treatment Courts in the United States, the Knox County Veterans Treatment Court is a judicially supervised court docket that reduces correctional costs, enhances community safety, improves public welfare and serves veterans involved in the legal system.
They promote recovery and stability through a coordinated response and the understanding that the bonds of military service and combat run deep. Veterans Treatment Courts not only allow veterans to go through the treatment court process with other veterans who are similarly situated and have common past experiences, and also provides them with mentor veterans in Veterans Treatment Court program.
Veterans Treatment Courts expedite access to veteran-specific resources, including benefits and treatment earned through military service. The VTC coordinates with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care networks, the Veterans Benefits Administration, state Departments of Veterans Affairs, volunteer veteran mentors, County Departments of Veterans Affairs, and veteran’s family support organizations.
Judge Chuck Cerny, Knox County General Session Court, started the Knox County Veterans Treatment Court in January 2014 to serve county veterans in the justice system through a specialized treatment court that focuses on programs similar to an existing recovery treatment program while providing them with an environment that encourages law-abiding behavior.
