COATESVILLE, PA — Jeremy Damia, the new County Court Coordinator for Veterans Treatment Court in Delaware County, has embarked on a mission to better understand the wealth of resources available to veterans at the county, state, and federal levels. With representatives from the offices of the district attorney, public defenders, and probations, the Veterans Treatment Court reviews veterans’ cases and makes recommendations for treatment.
As the treatment court coordinator, Damia oversees the court team cases, coordinates the referrals for veterans to treatment resources, and runs the meetings. “I had a lot of questions about what went on here on the Coatesville VA campus because a lot of our veterans in the court are service-connected and the resources they need are available here on this campus,” said Damia.
In response to Damia’s concerns, Lily Thomas, Coatesville VA Medical Center’s Justice Outreach Coordinator for Delaware County, scheduled a special session at the medical center to explain the health services Coatesville VA offers.
Thomas emphasized the importance of treatment over jail time, stating, “I want everyone on the team to feel comfortable about making referrals because I am often asking them to allow a veteran to access our health care services, they so desperately need in lieu of jail time.”
The presence of a justice outreach coordinator from the VA on the team helps guide veterans toward these crucial resources. The aim is to provide necessary treatment for veterans who have substance abuse disorders, PTSD, or other mental health issues, which can statistically increase the likelihood of incarceration.
During the orientation session, Coatesville VA speakers discussed various topics, including intimate partner violence, suicide prevention, sexual trauma, and how they serve veterans with substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The level of care provided is dependent on the veterans’ needs, with referrals for services ranging from outpatient or inpatient services to residential rehabilitation and treatment programs.
As the session progressed, Damia’s understanding of the resources and services available deepened. “I feel like I got a good overview of the Coatesville VA campus today,” Damia said. “I don’t know everything, but I know a lot, some of the terminology, some of the great things that are happening here. I’m very impressed with what goes on here.”
Increased understanding of the services available and their benefits to veterans is likely to lead to more referral recommendations from the Treatment Court to the judge, ensuring more veterans get the health care they need when they need it.
If you are a military Veteran in Crisis, service member, their family or caregiver, call the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and then Press 1.
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