California Veterans Legal Task Force

Programs: Cvltf 2017 key accomplishmentskey statisticsveterans legal assistance referral clinics (vlarc) statistics for 2017 (jan-dec)86 veteran clients served 313 total # of legal matters criminal defense attorney consultations for 2017 (jan-dec)117 case consultations with appointed defense counsel150 hours dedicated legal workin kind donations - time and estimated value of dedicated volunteers who contributed to our direct client services in 2017 included:1875 hours in licensed attorney pro bono time (valued at $135,700)520 hours in paralegal time (valued at $11,960)312 hours in consultant time (valued at $15,600)520 hours in administrative time (valued at $7800)expanding california's veterans treatment courts (vtcs) during this last fiscal year, cvltf has met with officials in these counties to discuss the possible formation of new veterans treatment courts: fresno, imperial, lassen, marin, modoc, merced, plumas, tuolumne, and yolo. We provided advanced technical assistance to the following vtcs: alameda, contra costa, del norte, fresno, madera, merced, solano, sonoma. Since our inception, cvltf has assisted in the formation or provided technical assistance to all 32 operating vtcs in 58 california counties and provided specific advice and assistance on the following projects: formation of new veterans treatment courts re-structuring of existing veterans treatment courts support of existing veterans treatment courts pc1001. 80 amendment to allow dui offenders into military diversion community vtc presentations to san jose, mountain view and martinez stanford university veterans treatment court conference legislative education regarding veterans legal initiatives cvltf worked with samhsa technical support researchers to author and publish impactful study on clinical symptom changes for offenders in san diego veterans treatment review calendar program cvltf consultants provided leadership for ca veterans justice coalition shared vtc manuals, operating procedures and sample motions operated two veterans legal assistance clinics in san diego county encouraged use of judicial council mil-100 form to early identify veterans in the criminal justice system that would benefit from treatment distributed cvltf statewide survey of operating vtc practicesveteran's legal assistance and referral clinics (vlarc) (san diego county) san diego based veterans legal assistance and referral clinic (vlarc) providing omnibus legal assistance to veterans in san diego county. Conducted legal assessments, recruited pro bono counsel, completed applications for various benefits to assist veterans removing barriers to housing, employment and benefits. In december 2017, we hosted five law students from usc law who conducted new research to build our brief bank and support our pro bono counsel. Vlarc clinics are partners in the military & veterans resource centers (mvrc) which are part of the san diego county live well centers in escondido and national city. Mvrc team includes 23 merit-selected nonprofit organizations providing veteran services. Our partners in mvrc include mental health services, inc. , veterans village of san diego, goodwill industries, san diego financial literacy foundation, and interfaith community services. With the county office of military and veterans services, mvrc provides va/public benefits, housing, jobs, mental health and financial services. Cvltf is the only partner handling veterans' legal issues. Cvltf technical assistance and recognitioncvltf continues to provide community and statewide technical assistance to public officials and lawmakers on legal issues of concern to military, veterans, and their families. Cvltf consultants provided data, educational information, and testimony to california state assembly and senate members and hearings for federal congressional representatives. 2017 awards 2017 california legislator allegiance award; cvltf - in recognition of service and excellence in supporting veterans through the community 2017 veterans organization of the year award (finalist) recipient of a directed grant from the county of san diego ($13,668) to provide it equipment and labor to install security information system to better protect client files and improve efficiency of referrals and work with pro bono counsel county of san diego board of supervisors proclamation to supervising attorney jude litzenberger for outstanding service as president, san diego veterans coalition and cvltf service to veteransupgraded cvltf. Org website continue to add to www. Cvltf. Org website with research, video and educational information to veterans and their advocates at the intersection of mental health/trauma and the justice system. Increased by 150% the nationwide use of cvltf vtc mentor training video program and research to assist criminal justice professionals in understanding the connection between military related mental health conditions and criminal behavior/treatment. This website continues to be cited in legislature publications and opinions by local and state judges and the state assembly appropriations committee as a trusted resource on justice involved veterans. Published data reports for san diego military diversion program and ca veterans treatment court survey and added numerous clinical studies on our websitecommunity and collaboration engaged vista staff member to develop peer specialist program to enable follow up with our vlarc clients who received community referrals to improve follow up actions by these veteran clients provided training regarding legal topics to county and nonprofit staff members of the military & veterans resource centers and two criminal defense bar associations of san diego county recognized by san diego county board of supervisors as an official partner of the county of san diego live well program co-sponsored veterans forum event with the county of san diego board of supervisors to celebrate veterans day on behalf of approximately 225,000 veteransand 113,000 active duty service members who are residents of san diego county. Increased visibility and use of vtc mentor training video training program on cvltf website and helped vtcs in alameda, solano and sonoma counties start mentor programs. Consultations to assist in improving defense of justice-involved military and veterans o consult with defense counsel whose clients seek entry into local san diego superior court veterans treatment court o consult with attorneys appearing in any branch military diversion departments or u. S. District court for southern district of california vtc to explain process and how to advise clients regarding benefits and requirements o provided legal consultation to defense counsel for indigent veterans regarding treatment options as part of criminal matters in san diego superior court and military collateral consequences of convictions and pleas for active duty defendantsjustice-involved military/veteran diversion work 117 consultations with defense counsel representing indigent veterans in san diego criminal cases involving 150 hours of lawyering o advised regarding defense options under california penal code sections 1001. 80, 1170. 9 and 1170. 91 to educate clients and counsel o help counsel/client navigate military and veterans affairs system to acquire records and expert reports needed to apply for mental health treatment o communicate with active duty clients command to educate military superiors regarding ca law, arrange dod treatment option, and process for veterans treatment court or military diversion program in light of collateral consequences and potential for military courts martial or administratively separation testified at legislative committees providing technical assistance to legislators considering efficacy of veterans treatment courts in california and amendment of california penal code sections 1001. 80 and 1170. 91 assisted in preparing briefs for court of appeals and california superior court hearings