Kootenai County Veterans Treatment Court looking for mentors

The Kootenai County Veterans Treatment Court is looking for mentors.

Idaho’s treatment courts help individuals with substance use or mental health issues achieve stability and find recovery while preserving accountability through the justice system, a press release said. 

To accomplish this, the Veterans Treatment Court relies on collaboration across the criminal justice system, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans service organizations and community treatment agencies.

A key component of a successful veterans court is the Veterans Mentor Program. 

In this program, a trained veteran mentor is paired with a treatment court participant to provide support as they navigate the treatment court program, the release said. 

"Experience has shown veterans are likely to respond more favorably to another veteran than to others who do not have similar experiences in military service," the release said.

Mentors are veterans of the U.S. armed forces who volunteer their time to assist the court. Mentors provide advice, personal experiences, recommendations and guidance to veteran participants. The mentor is present as an ally and friend and is there to assist the veteran through successful completion of the treatment court program, according to the release.

Info: Winford “Buddy” Winters, Veterans Treatment Court coordinator, 208-446-1099 wwinters@kootenai.idcourts.net.