They fought for our independence.
Now we're fighting for theirs.

ABOUT

With a goal of confronting deeply-rooted mental health and substance abuse issues within the Veteran community, the Veterans Justice Initiative (VJI) program was founded in the first quarter of 2022, in partnership with the state of North Carolina, through funding provided by the No Veteran Left Behind Act (NVLB).

3,468

First responders and community partners trained in North Carolina

Learn how to avoid the unnecessary criminalization of mental illness, substance abuse, and incarceration of Veterans.

Learn the Foundation

13%

of Veterans who experienced homelessness

Cases served by VJI to date:

16%

of Veterans who dealt with addiction

*All military branches represented

Stay Informed

24%

of Veterans who faced
mental illness

235

Cases represented

HOLISTIC APPROACH

The Veterans Justice Initiative’s approach is holistic, beginning with a Veteran's initial contact through any necessary legal processes. Importantly, the program establishes a strong aftercare plan through an extensive network of resources and partner organizations to help Veterans find healing and hope beyond their crisis.

EARLY INTERVENTION

The Veterans Justice Initiative assists law enforcement agencies, first responders, and frontline workers to understand the nuances and true scope of Veterans' mental health obstacles once they return home from service. Early intervention and casework is crucial to Veteran mental wholeness.

The Veterans Justice Initiative assists law enforcement agencies, first responders, and frontline workers to understand the nuances and true scope of Veterans’ mental health obstacles once they return home from service. Early intervention and casework is crucial to Veteran mental wholeness.

VJI has developed a robust, alternative way to approach veterans in crisis from initial contact with:

911 Operators

First Responders

Law Enforcement

Navigating Veterans through alternative routes, such as Veteran treatment courts, will allow the system to focus on individual circumstances, substance abuse, and Veteran preference.

VJI ACHIEVES ITS GOALS BY:

  • Identifying alternative systems, such as Veteran Treatment Courts and specialists at the Department of Veterans Affairs, to assess Veterans’ treatment needs, identify appropriate treatment services, and liaise with the court on Veterans’ progress.

  • Identifying and securing proper aftercare protocol to prevent recurrence.

  • Identifying and coordinating effective legal assistance for the Veteran.

  • Coordinating roundtable discussions and training within local communities regarding effective ways to respond to Veterans found in the criminal justice system.

  • Identifying and establishing local response systems that bring community assets to intervene on behalf of the Veteran in the criminal justice system.