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

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.

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.