Veteran Treatment Track Mentor Application
Contact
District Liaison - 9th JD Problem Solving Courts Office of the Administrative Judge
Denise Dizzine
Phone: 914-824-5820
[email protected]
Role of Veteran Mentors
Veteran mentors are veteran volunteers responsible for serving as a supporter, guide, and confidant for Veterans Treatment Court participants. Mentors should provide support as participants progress through the Veterans Treatment Court and should feel comfortable working collaboratively to assist participants and, where appropriate, their families in completing the directives of the court.
Veteran mentors should:
- Meet with participants to assist in resolving their issues.
- Build on the participants’ previous conversations in each meeting
- Conduct meetings in person (where possible)
- Refer participants to appropriate services
- Facilitate an understanding of courtroom procedures
- Work collaboratively with the other mentors and the mentor coordinator.
Veteran mentors should also motivate participants using a strengths-based approach by:
- encouraging participants by highlighting their strengths. Including talents, skills, and knowledge
- focusing on what has been successful
- believing that participants have the potential to learn, grow, and change
- maintaining federal confidentiality standards.
- attending clinical and legal training programs supported or provided by the Veterans Treatment Court.
In addition, mentors should:
- attend an initial training session where topics may include Veterans Treatment Court’s policies and procedures, mentoring dos and don’ts, psychopharmacology, mental illness, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Traumatic Brain Injury.
- regularly communicate with their mentor coordinator to resolve any issues regarding time commitments, resistant participants, or unmanageable challenges.
- report any concerns to their mentor coordinator immediately if they fear for the safety of a participant or are concerned about a participant’s behavior.
- Update the mentor logbook or case management notes after speaking with a participant.
- Commit to a period of time, usually 5 to 6 months, to mentor in the Veterans Treatment Court.
- Provide a valid military service record (DD214 or DD215) and, if necessary, submit to background verification.
Responsibilities of Veteran Mentors
The following responsibilities should be carried out by veteran mentors:
- attend relevant training programs
- communicate with the mentor coordinator regarding any issues
- update the mentor logs or case management notes
- maintain confidentiality
- maintain appropriate boundaries with participants
- be respectful and always speak with a positive tone
While meeting with participants, mentors must NOT:
- Make clinical recommendations
- Give legal advice
- Provide psychotherapy
- Utilize a stern approach
- Inappropriately extend the boundaries of their relationship
Requirements & Qualifications for Veteran Mentors
Mentors should:
- complete a mentor application form
- provide a valid DD214 or DD215 (honorable discharge is preferred)
- submit to a background check, if requested
- be respectful of individual differences and maintain appropriate boundaries with participants
- not be an active employee of the Unified Court System, an active member of law enforcement, or a member of any other organization that may present a conflict of interest with the mentor program
- commit to a time period of 5 to 6 months