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17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT WINNEBAGO COUNTY VETERANS COURT PARTICIPANT HANDBOOK

“Rebuilding Lives”

Mission Statement

The Winnebago County Veterans Court promotes public safety, reduces recidivism and enhances the quality of life for the community and the individual by promoting positive outcomes for veterans in the criminal justice system with behavioral health disorders.

THE WINNEBAGO COUNTY VETERANS COURT PROGRAM

Welcome to the Winnebago County Veterans Court Program. By agreeing to participate in the Winnebago County Veterans Program, you will be working with a team of court and treatment professionals to successfully achieve recovery and reduce or end criminal behavior in the future. Veterans Court will provide you with access to PTSD and other mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, medication, housing, entitlements, therapy, and other services that will help you achieve a life that is safe, stable and free from crime if you work hard and are honest in the program. The entire Veterans Court Team, including the Judge, welcomes you to Veterans Court and will work hard with you to help you succeed.

VETERANS COURT HANDBOOK

The purpose of this handbook is to help you understand what you need to know and do so that you can successfully participate in and complete Veterans Court. Included in the handbook is Veteran Court program-related general information and an outline of what is expected of you as a participant in the program. If you have any questions about this handbook or any other part of the Veteran Court program, please contact the Court Coordinator. The Court Coordinator will do her best to answer your questions and to help eliminate anything in the way of your success in the program.

This handbook is very important to your successful participation in the Veterans Court program. You must follow the rules and expectations in this handbook and the orders and instructions of the Veterans Court Judge and team.

GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

Veterans Court is a voluntary program. That is why you are required to sign the Consent to Participate in order to enroll in Veterans Court. Because you signed the Consent to Participate and agreed to voluntarily enroll in Veterans Court, you are accountable for complying with your Veterans Court requirements and for completing the treatment services that you need. Generally, these requirements include attending court, reporting to your Veterans Court Probation Officer, participating in treatment assessments and services, refraining from drug and alcohol use, taking medications as prescribed and submitting to random drug testing. Veterans Court is divided into four levels plus Graduation. In the beginning, the primary focus is on your addiction and your early enrollment in treatment and compliance with treatment. As you proceed through the program Levels, working on employment and education goals become part of your requirements as well. The Veterans Court Team will work with you on any basic needs you may have and the Veterans Court treatment providers will assess you for your treatment needs and assign you to treatment groups. Your treatment groups will focus on changing the thinking errors, behaviors and choices you have made in the past that have gotten you into trouble and also educate you about mental illness and addiction.

When you are maintaining a stable lifestyle, are making progress in completing your treatment goals and are following your supervision requirements, the Veterans Court Team will move

you to higher levels in the program, and if you successfully complete the program goals and requirements, you will graduate!

What everyone on the Veterans Court Team wants is for you to be successful and to have the opportunity for a better, healthier and happier life. And because recovery is so important, you will also be strongly encouraged by all the Veterans' Court Team members to develop and maintain a safe, sober and supportive recovery network that can last you a lifetime.

VETERANS COURT TEAM

The Veterans Court Team includes the Judge, Court Coordinator, Prosecutor, Defense Counsel/Public Defender, Probation Officers, Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator and VA Treatment providers. The Veterans Court Team members work closely together with each other and with you to develop a treatment and supervision plan that is tailored to your individual needs during the entire time you are in Veterans Court. Every team member is specially trained in justice and treatment subject matters and each member has a unique role on the team.

JUDGE - is the leader of the Veterans Court team and, with input from all of the team members and you, makes all final decisions about Veterans Court team responses to your compliance and non-compliance with Veterans Court requirements.

COURT COORDINATOR - coordinates all referrals and acts as the central contact for any questions. The Court Coordinator oversees the day-to-day operations of Veterans Court and is also responsible for all grant activities and data collection.

PROSECUTOR - follows your compliance with Veterans Court requirements and makes recommendations that balance public safety concerns with your treatment needs. The Prosecutor is responsible for advising the Veterans Court team of all relevant information about you available to the State, i.e., police contact or new charges.

PUBLIC DEFENDER/DEFENSE COUNSEL – follows your compliance with Veterans Court requirements and advocates for your legal interests and treatment needs. The Public Defender will represent you in Veterans Court unless you are represented by private Defense Counsel.

PROBATION OFFICERS - is responsible for completing probation assessments with you and making referrals for you to treatment and services. Your Probation Officer will ensure that you understand the requirements of Veterans Court Probation and send you to an Adult Probation Orientation session. Your Probation Officer will be supervising your compliance with all Veterans Court treatment and probation supervision requirements.

VETERANS JUSTICE OUTREACH COORDINATOR (VJO)-is responsible for completing the initial clinical assessment and providing case management and treatment services for you. The VJO works closely with the VA providers to ensure that you are receiving the treatment and services you need, including housing, medication, and referrals.

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION TREATMENT PROVIDERS-All VA treatment services are available to you and a member of treatment staff attends all Veterans Court team staffings and provides

updates on your progress and compliance in treatment. VA treatment oversees all aspects of your treatment plan.

VETERANS COURT VOLUNTEER MENTORS

Another resource available to you through Veterans Court are the volunteer mentors who have all served in the military and who are willing to provide support and assistance to Veterans Court participants. Mentors attend every Veterans Court session and you should feel free to ask for help from them if you require it.

VETERANS COURT PROCESS

The Veterans Court process is simple. It is a structured court program that provides treatment and closely monitors your compliance with treatment and all the terms of your probation order. Every decision of the Veterans Court Team is made as a team with the goal of helping you be as successful as possible in achieving your goals in the program.

Before each court date, the Veterans Court Team meets for staffing. At staffing, the entire team discusses the progress that you are making or any issues that may have occurred since your last court date. Written reports are sent to the entire Veterans Court Team by the Probation Officers and VJO and VA before the team staffings and updates are sent via secure e-mail. When you appear in court, the Judge and the team will talk to you about what the team discussed in staffing and give you an opportunity to respond. Your response and input are important to the team. If you are doing well, you may receive praise or another incentive. If there are concerns or violations, you may receive a sanction and/or a change to your treatment plan. Every response of the Veterans Court Team is targeted to helping you make the changes you need to make.

The Veterans Court Team will follow your treatment schedule and appointment times. You must comply with everything and it is your responsibility to communicate with the team. It is very important that you attend your treatment sessions and groups—complying with treatment is how you will make the changes you need to make plus the clinician's time is very valuable and should not be wasted! It is also very important that you report to your Probation Officer for your appointments.

It is important that you understand that it is your responsibility to follow all of the requirements of the Veterans Court program because these are the requirements that are necessary to change the choices, attitudes and behaviors that have caused you to have a substance abuse problem and have brought you into the criminal justice system

All of the decisions and actions of the Veterans Court Team are made with the purpose of rehabilitating you from your addiction, criminal conduct and anti-social behavior. Veterans Court is an opportunity for you to attain the healthy and fulfilling life that we hope is your goal for entering into Veterans Court.

IT ALL BEGINS WITH ATTITUDE BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IS YOU-- YOU MUST BE COMMITTED AND WILLING TO CHANGE YOUR CURRENT LIFESTYLE AND HABITS

VETERANS COURT ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for Veterans Court, you must be 18 years old, be charged with an eligible probationable offense, have been assessed as having a behavioral health diagnosis, be willing to voluntarily sign the Consent to Participate, be willing to comply with all treatment and probation supervision requirements, be willing to take medications as prescribed, and have been staffed by and approved for enrollment by the entire Veterans Court Team. Certain offenses are specifically excluded from eligibility in Veterans Court. Those exclusions include the following crimes if committed within the past 5 years or are the current charges: first degree murder; second degree murder; predatory criminal sexual assault of a child; aggravated criminal sexual assault; criminal sexual assault; armed robbery; aggravated arson; arson; aggravated kidnapping; kidnapping; aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm or permanent disability; stalking; aggravated stalking; any offense involving the discharge of a firearm or where serious bodily injury or death occurred to any person; aggravated domestic battery resulting in great bodily harm or permanent disability, aggravated criminal sexual abuse by a person in a position of trust or authority over a child, home invasion, aggravated vehicular hijacking and aggravated driving under the influence that resulted in the death of another person or when the violation was a proximate cause of the death, unless the court determines that extraordinary circumstances exist. Defendants currently charged with those offenses or any offense that is non-probationable where the prosecutor is unwilling to amend to a probationable offense are also excluded from eligibility.

Veterans Court operates without discrimination on the basis of gender, race nationality, ethnicity, limited English proficiency, disability, socio-economic status or sexual orientation. If you have any language needs or other need requirements should be directed to the Court Coordinator.

VETERANS COURT REFERRAL AND ASSESSMENT

Anyone can make a referral to Veterans Court by submitting a completed Referral Form to the Court Coordinator. This form is available in the Trial Court Administration office at Suite 215 of the Winnebago County Courthouse or on-line at www.illinois17th.com. When your referral was received, the Court Coordinator screened it to make sure no exclusions applied and sent it to the VJO to schedule the clinical assessment appointment with you. At your appointment, you signed a release of information to the Veterans Court Team to allow the information from the assessment to be shared with and discussed by the Veterans Court Team. The Probation Department also conducted the Adult Risk Assessment with you. Following the completion of these assessments, the Veterans Court Team reviewed and discussed all of the information at a Veterans Court Team staffing and determined that you met the eligibility criteria for

enrollment for Veterans Court. Then your case(s) were placed on the next Veterans Court call for enrollment into the program.

MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT

Medication assisted treatment therapies such as naltrexone (oral or VIVITROL), methadone and buprenorphine therapies are allowed in Veterans Court with the knowledge and approval of the Veterans Court team. The Veterans Court Team monitors compliance with MAT.

VETERAN COURT DRUG TESTING

Winnebago County Probation maintains a random testing system for Veterans Court Participant alcohol and drug testing. You will be assigned a client number, given a phone number and you are required to call in each day to check to see if you are selected to drop that day. You may also use My Call In website. If you are selected to drop, you MUST provide a drop THAT DAY as directed. Failure to complete a drop on the day you were chosen may result in a sanction. If you are selected to drop Monday through Friday, you must report to the Adult Probation Department and if you are selected to drop on Saturday or Sunday you must report to the Criminal Justice Center to provide the sample. Drug testing on Court Holidays will be done at the Criminal Justice Center. Drops can be required at TASC, probation offices or at treatment provider's location. The Collector requires an ID to do a drop, and if you don't have an ID, you must report that to your probation officer immediately in order to obtain a Drug Court ID. Drops will NOT be excused for lack of an ID or inability to provide a sample. And please be aware that you can be chosen to drop multiple days in a row!!

Positive drug/alcohol screen results, missing a drop, diluting, altering or attempting to adulterate a drop, or any type of tampering (e.g. bringing in someone else's urine) are violations of Veterans Court and will be treated with a sanction and possibly a treatment adjustment. Veterans Court is confident in the accuracy of its drug testing methodologies and presumes that a positive drop is objective evidence of drug use. Honesty on your part is essential and required when confronted with a positive result so that the Veterans Court Team can determine what responses may be necessary. For this reason, you should expect that a lack of honesty on your part WILL be treated with a Veterans Court sanction as your success in the program is directly tied to your honest participation.

VETERANS COURT PROGRAM LENGTH

On a case-by-case basis, and subject to the discretion and approval of the Veterans Court Team, a participant who meets all of the criteria for graduation from the program may be eligible for early termination from the program and/or probation prior to the end of his/her term of probation. This incentive is directly related to an individual's progress toward completion of treatment goals and full compliance with Veterans Court rules and probation requirements. No one, including you, is promised an early termination from the program or probation and that should not be your expectation.

VETERANS COURT PROGRAM RULES

• You must appear in court as scheduled or as directed by the Veterans Court team.

• You must attend all scheduled appointments with the Veterans Court team. If you are unable to attend a scheduled appointment for any reason you must CALL the Veterans Court team member you were to meet with ahead of time to get permission to reschedule and/or be excused. Calling will not automatically excuse you from missing an appointment and you may receive a sanction even if you did call in.
• You must follow your treatment and probation plan and actively participate in all services as required. Your treatment and probation plan may include (but is not limited to) some or all of the following: mental health treatment; medication compliance; case management services; substance abuse treatment services; individual counselling; trauma specific treatment services; medication assisted treatment; medication; primary health treatment services; partner abuse counselling; anger management; employment and education programs.
• You will be encouraged to build a recovery network and attend support meetings.
• You cannot use any illegal substances or drink any alcohol.
• You cannot take medications not prescribed for you by your doctor
• You cannot ingest any substances that are labelled “not for human consumption”, including, but not exclusively, K2, Spice or other synthetics
• You will submit to random drug and/or alcohol screens when requested by any Veterans Court Team member
• You must obey all local ordinances, state laws and federal laws.
• You MUST notify the Veterans Court Team immediately following any law enforcement contact or hospitalizations
• You must follow all rules of the Winnebago County Adult Probation Department. Violations of these rules may result in a sanction and/or termination from the Veterans Court program.
• You must treat everyone with respect and demonstrate appropriate behavior at all times and in all places.
• You must cooperate with all home visits, treatment visits or employment visits. The Veterans Court Team members will conduct home, treatment facility or place of employment visits on a regular basis to monitor program progress. These visits may be unscheduled or unannounced
• You cannot be in possession of a firearm or a dangerous weapon.
• You MUST take prescribed medications as directed. You MUST report any changes in prescribed or over-the-counter medications to the Veterans Court Team.
• You must CALL the Veterans Court team to report any changes of address, contact information or employment status immediately.
• You must meet all financial obligations, including payment of fines/fees/restitution, as directed by the Veterans Court Team. Inability to pay fines, fees, and costs will not prohibit program entry, phase advancement, or graduation.

• You must reside in Winnebago County while participating in the Veterans Court program unless given permission by the Veterans Court Team to live elsewhere.
• You must request a travel permit to travel out of state.
• You must be appropriately attired in court and at all Veterans Court appointments and groups.
• Carry a calendar to keep track of your groups and appointments
• Keep all of your drop receipts
• Have a backup transportation plan
• Communicate with your Veterans Court team
• If you are struggling, go to a meeting, call a Veterans Court team member, your sponsor, and/or review your relapse recovery program
• Be careful with the people you are around
• Don't listen to or rely upon the advice of other Veterans Court participants. If you have questions—ask your attorney or members of the Veterans Court Team
• Do NOT use your phone during groups or appointments

VETERANS COURT TIPS FOR COMPLIANCE

VETERANS COURT SCHEDULE

VETERANS COURT STAFFINGS: The team will hold staffings prior to each court call.

VETERANS COURT STATUS HEARINGS: 2nd and 4th Mondays at 3:30 p.m. in Courtroom 217, Winnebago County Courthouse, 400 West State Street, Rockford, IL

VETERANS COURT PROGRAM LEVELS

Veterans Court is divided into five (5) levels, Levels 1-4 and Graduation. The Levels are structured to incorporate reasonable treatment and supervision goals that are proven to document continued progress toward the ultimate goal of successfully achieving and maintaining recovery and completing the Veterans Court program. Veterans Court cannot be completed successfully without progressing through and completing each of the required levels. The Veterans Court team is always monitoring your progress in treatment and your compliance with the requirements of your Level and changing your Level status or eligibility for graduation is a staffing discussion by the entire Veterans Court team. The Veterans Court Levels are as follows:

LEVEL 1—Requirements:

• Appear in Veterans Court as directed
• Develop and comply with all current treatment plan requirements
• Comply with all treatment referrals and assessments
• Take medications as prescribed
• Initiate insurance and/or entitlements
• Comply with all conditions of probation/ supervision

• Meet with Probation Officer a minimum of one time per week or as directed
• Comply with home/field visits as required
• Verify residence at each probation office visit
• Be subject to arrest checks daily
• Establish plan for housing
• Retrain from consuming alcohol, illicit drugs, unapproved medications or supplements of any kind, or any substance labeled unfit for human consumption
• Agree to and comply with Veterans Court Medication Policy
• Submit to random drug and alcohol screening as directed
• Sign releases of information to contacts upon request
• Begin addressing medical needs if applicable
• Enroll in Probation Orientation

You can advance to Level 2 if substantially compliant with Level 1 requirements for a sustained period of time, have no drug tests which violate the Alcohol and Drug Testing Protocol and Procedures for at least 14 days and the Veterans Court team approves moving to Level 2.

LEVEL 2 – Requirements:

• Appear in Veterans Court as directed.
• Comply with all current treatment plan requirements
• Comply with all treatment referrals and assessments
• Continue addressing medical needs
• Take medications as prescribed
• Continue establishing insurance and/or entitlements
• Continue changing people, places, and things
• Comply with all conditions of probation/ supervision
• Meet with Probation Officer a minimum of one time per week or as directed
• Comply with home/field visits as required
• Verify residence at each probation office visit
• Be subject to arrest checks daily
• Continue establishing a plan for housing or maintain housing
• Refrain from consuming alcohol, illicit drugs, unapproved medications or supplements of any kind, or any substance labeled unfit for human consumption
• Comply with Veterans Court Medication Policy
• Submit to random drug and alcohol screening as directed
• Achieve stable level of overall functioning
• Sign releases of information to contacts upon request
• Complete Probation Orientation
• Complete Intensive Outpatient Treatment

You can advance to Level 3 if substantially compliant with Level 2 requirements for a sustained period of time, have no drug tests which violate the Alcohol and Drug Testing Protocol and Procedures for a minimum of 30 days, and the Veterans Court team approves moving to Level 3.

LEVEL 3- Requirements:

• Appear in Veterans Court as otherwise directed
• Comply with all current treatment plan requirements
• Comply with all treatment referrals and assessments
• Take all medications as prescribed
• Continue establishing insurance and/or entitlements
• Comply with all conditions of probation/ supervision
• Refrain from consuming alcohol, illicit drugs, unapproved medications or supplements of any kind, or any substance labeled unfit for human consumption
• Comply with Veterans Court Medication Policy
• Submit to random drug and alcohol screening as directed
• Meet with Probation Officer a minimum of two times per month
• Comply with home/field visits as required
• Verify residence at each probation office visit
• Be subject to arrest checks daily
• Maintain housing
• Sign releases of information to contacts upon request
• Establish structured daily living activities
• Be working on satisfying court-ordered financial obligations
• Continue changing people, places, and things
• Establish a pro-social support network
• Complete Continuing Care

You can only advance to Level 4 if substantially compliant with Level 3 requirements for a sustained period of time, be compliant with all treatment services, have a relapse prevention plan for symptom management, be participating in structured daily living activities (i.e. school, employment, job search/training, parenting), have no drug tests which violate the Alcohol and Drug Testing Protocol and Procedures for at least 45 days, and the Drug Court team approves of moving you to Level 4.

• Appear in Drug Court two times per month or as otherwise directed
• Comply with all current treatment plan requirements
• Comply with all treatment referrals and assessments
• Take all medications as prescribed
• Continue establishing insurance and/or entitlements
• Continue changing people, places, and things
• Comply with all conditions of probation/ supervision
• Refrain from ingesting alcohol or illicit drugs
• Submit to random drug and alcohol screening as directed
• Meet with Probation Officer a minimum of two times per month
• Comply with home/field visits as required

• Verify residence at each probation office visit
• Maintain housing
• Verify residence at each probation office visit
• Refrain from consuming alcohol, illicit drugs, unapproved medications or supplements of any kind, or any substance labeled unfit for human consumption
• Comply with Veterans Court Medication Policy
• Submit to random drug and alcohol screening as directed
• Sign releases of information to contacts upon request
• Be subject to arrest checks daily
• Establish structured daily living activities
• Be working on satisfying court-ordered financial obligations
• Maintain a pro-social support network

GRADUATION-

To be eligible for graduation, you must be compliant with Level 4 requirements for a sustained period of time, be at least 6 months drug and alcohol free, be 6 months violation free, and have satisfactorily met your court-ordered financial obligations or worked with team to develop a payment plan. The Drug Court team will staff you to determine if you have met the requirements to advance from Level 4 to graduation. It is at this point that any legal agreements that have been previously made pending completion shall be reviewed and acted upon accordingly. Graduation ceremonies are held each May and November.

VETERANS COURT INCENTIVES, SANCTIONS AND THERAPEUTIC ADJUSTMENTS INCENTIVES-

As you get engaged in the Veterans Court program and begin to make positive choices, you will receive incentives from the Veterans Court Team. Incentives may be received for a variety of behaviors and achievements such as attending all probation and treatment appointments and groups, attending all court status hearings, making progress in treatment, providing clean drug screens, gaining or maintaining employment, and education achievement. Incentives the Veterans Court Team may choose from include:

• Praise
• Applause
• Called sooner in court
• Reward from the reward basket
• Promotion to next Level
• Certificate of Level completion
• Less frequent court appearances
• Travel permits
• Public service work credit towards fines and fees
• Achievement coins

• Graduation

SANCTIONS-

Just as positive behaviors are rewarded, negative behaviors will also be addressed. If you are dishonest with the Veterans Court Team, including treatment providers, you should expect that you will receive a sanction because honesty is essential to making progress in Veterans Court and being successful. Poor attendance, lack of participation in treatment or tasks identified in the treatment plan, and positive drug screens are also some of the reasons sanctions may be imposed. Sanctions can consist of but will not be limited to the following:

• Verbal reprimand
• Written apology
• Essay/Thinking Report Assignment
• Called later in the call
• Jury box/Court Observation
• More frequent court appearances
• Increased Veterans Court Team contacts
• Daily living log assignment
• Public service work
• Sign an attendance contract
• Sign a behavior contract
• Delay in promotion to next Level
• Incarceration

THERAPEUTIC ADJUSTMENTS-The Veterans Court Team is closely monitoring your compliance with treatment and the progress you are making. The time you spend in groups and individual sessions is needed to make the positive changes in thinking, behaviors and lifestyle that support recovery.

If concerns arise, such as a positive or adulterated drop result, or you start to miss appointments with your Probation Officer or are missing or inappropriate in treatment groups, the Veterans Court Team will make any changes to your treatment plan that are needed to address the concerns and you will be required to follow the new or additional requirements. You may also be asked to verify participation in community recovery support activities as a therapeutic adjustment.

VETERANS COURT PROGRAM OUTCOMES

You will complete the program in one of four ways: successful discharge; neutral discharge; unsuccessful discharge; or voluntary withdrawal. Each participant who is exiting the Veterans Court program will receive a discharge plan.

SUCCESSFUL DISCHARGE-

You will be eligible for successful discharge if you have completed all of the Veterans Court program requirements set forth in the program Levels I through III. If your completion date occurs before graduation and you want to graduate, you can agree to extend your term of probation to participate in graduation. Otherwise, you will be given a Certificate of Achievement and be discharged from Veterans Court.

NEUTRAL DISCHARGE-

If your circumstances change significantly after entering Veterans Court and it becomes extremely difficult or impossible for you to meet your Veterans Court responsibilities, the Veterans Court Team may staff and approve an alternative supervision plan for you. A serious medical condition that makes it difficult or impossible for you to meet your attendance and drop requirement is an example of the kind of circumstance that the Veterans Court Team would consider eligible for a neutral discharge disposition. Work schedule conflicts, lack of child care or transportation difficulties do NOT qualify as the type of circumstance that qualifies for neutral discharge.

UNSUCCESSFUL DISCHARGE-

If you are in violation of any of the Veterans Court requirements, you may be unsuccessfully discharged from the Veterans Court program. Prior to unsuccessful discharge from Veterans Court, you have to be served with a petition that seeks to revoke your Veterans Court probation and sets out your alleged violations. Once a petition is filed, you have the right to be represented by an attorney, the right to a hearing on the petition, the right to confront the State's witnesses and evidence, the right to present evidence and testimony on your own behalf if you choose to, the right to require that the State prove that it is more probably true than not true that you violated your probation, and the right to be advised of the sentencing range.

Once a petition is filed, in order for the Judge to continue to participate in team staffings of your case, you must agree to let the Judge discuss your case. Your agreement will be requested when a petition is filed and addressed in open court.

An unsuccessful discharge can occur as part of a plea agreement or as a sentencing outcome after a hearing on the petition.

VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL-

Since Veterans Court is a voluntary program, you do have the right to withdraw from the program, but there may be consequences so it is important that you understand what those consequences may be and the Judge and your attorney will explain those to you. Any consequence has to be consistent with the terms of your probation order. Serving jail time that has previously been stayed is one example of a possible consequence of voluntary withdrawal from Veterans Court.

CONFIDENTIALITY

You are required to sign a waiver of confidentiality known as an authorization for release of information to allow the Veterans Court team to communicate as a team about your participation and compliance. You will also be required to sign the Consent to Participate in

Veterans Court as a condition of being in Veterans Court. Once you are in the program, the Veterans Court team may also require that you sign additional releases of information to third parties such as family members, your sponsor, or medical providers on an as needed basis. It is important that you know that you will not be permitted to remain in the Veterans Court program if you refuse to sign any requested release or revoke these releases of information because that is grounds for you being unsuccessfully discharged from Veterans Court.

SUMMARY

Veterans Court may be your best opportunity to make the important life-saving, lifestyle changes that you may have attempted in the past but just couldn't do. In Veterans Court, you have an entire team behind you that is willing to provide the structure and opportunities to make those changes, but it is up to you to do what is needed to succeed. GOOD LUCK and WORK HARD!

Winnebago Veterans Court Participant Manual Additional Information URINE DROP INFORMATION

Urine specimens are collected for testing at:

Monday through Friday at Adult Probation Department- 4^{th} Floor 526 West State Street Rockford, IL 61101

DROP HOURS: Monday through Friday (at Probation)

• 8:15 am – 11:30 am
• 1:00 pm- 4:30 pm

Saturday, Sunday, & Court Holidays at Criminal Justice Center 650 W State Street Rockford, IL 61102

DROP HOURS: Saturday & Sunday (at Criminal Justice Center)

• 9:00 am – 11:30 am
• 9:00 am – 11:30 am

DRUG DROP LINE (779) 207-4383 MYCALLIN.COM **MUST HAVE PHOTO ID**