Charlie Crist: “After 9/11, thousands of America's best had to offer to sign up for our freedom. They served their country with honor to…”

“After 9/11, thousands of America's best had to offer to sign up for our freedom. They served their country with honor to keep all of us here and our loved ones save. Many of these heroes suffered greatly with wounds that you can see and, in many cases, wounds that you cannot. Too many veterans face mental and physical disabilities. Too many veterans come home without support structures. Too many veterans lack opportunities. And too many veterans self-medicate, find themselves in the criminal justice system, and are forgotten. In 2008, the first veteran treatment court was established in Buffalo, New York. The idea is that veterans face unique challenges that require veteran-specific care. While the VA can be an option for a veteran in crisis, including at the C.W. Bill Young Medical Center in my district, not every veteran in crisis goes to the VA, and if they do, they may not have somebody to check on them and make sure they are okay. Veterans treatment courts are diversion programs. Working with justice outreach specialists at their local VA medical centers, social workers and counselors at the local level, and veterans service organizations, vet courts get nonviolent veterans who qualify into treatment and counseling instead of just locking them up. After they complete the requirements, the veteran can even have their record expunged, preserving housing and employment opportunities.…”