CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) The Montgomery County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) celebrated its 7-year anniversary on Tuesday, August 20, with a Phase V promotion ceremony held in Judge Kenneth Goble Jr.’s courtroom. Several participants were congratulated on having completed the program.
The VTC program helps veterans and active duty soldiers, many of whom become involved with the justice system due to substance abuse problems or mental health difficulties with connections to post-traumatic stress disorder or similar conditions, receive needed treatment and help.
Presiding Judge Goble and Court Coordinator Lindsey Chantler implemented Montgomery County VTC in July 2012.
“The original VTC started in 2008 in Buffalo, New York,” Judge Goble said. “The majority of the people that come through our program get the attention and the services that they need. As a result, the likelihood of them getting in trouble again is next to nothing. That’s what it means to me.”
Montgomery County Chief of Staff Kyle D. Johnson was the keynote speaker at the event.
Johnson previously served as policy adviser for Tennessee State Representative and Speaker Pro Tempore Curtis Johnson. Since July 2015, Johnson has served in various federal and state positions such as field director, staff assistant, and policy adviser for Tennessee politicians including Bob Corker, Mark Green and Curtis Johnson.
“It’s just an incredible opportunity,” Johnson shared. “Montgomery County is forward thinking when it comes to this program. I think it’s a unique opportunity to be able to give back to our service members. People make mistakes and various things can happen. I think to have this program to not only focus on looking at their future, but also addressing the issues of why they got to where they got is huge.”
In seven years, VTC has graduated over 300 veterans and active duty soldiers from the minimum 11-month treatment program.