Service Member & Veterans Support Task Force

Members

Many efforts have been initiated in our state to assist Veterans and Service Members with legal needs and challenges.  Initiatives such as Veteran Treatment Courts, Law Clinics at VA Medical Centers, a Veterans Legal Resource Guide, and assistance for Incarcerated Veterans are of focus in the state at this presence time.

The Veterans Treatment Courts (VTC) seek to enable the veteran to exit the criminal justice system through an alternate route of obtaining the assistance needed to live a confident, more productive life as a citizen of the State of Alabama.  The Alabama State Bar’s Service Member and Veteran Support Task Force shall assess the current status of the implementation of VTCs around the state, including determining what other individuals or groups may be working toward this goal and how this Task Force might better coordinate with such individuals or groups. The Task Force may offer support to current and developing VTCs as well as promote awareness and the need for additional VTCs in the state.  The Task Force will also assess the need to implement VTCs in counties in Alabama where those courts do not currently exist.

Law Clinics provide support to Veterans with legal challenges posing barriers to healthcare, homeless support, etc.  These clinics are typically held at VA facilities for the convenience of Veterans receiving VA services and they are facilitated or supported by groups such as Law Schools, Volunteer Law Programs, etc. to address minor legal challenges for Veterans at no cost.  A law clinic is currently coordinated at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center.  The Task Force may assess the current status of the implementation of additional law clinics at medical centers in the state and support the success of these clinics.

A Veterans Legal Resource Guide was created as is posted on the Alabama Bar website.  The guide provides some information but needs to be updated.  The Task Force may assess the current guide and lead efforts to update the guide.

Many have recognized the need to support Incarcerated Veterans with legal needs upon transitioning back to the communities.  The Task Force may explore and assist with these legal needs as identified.

Specifically, the Task Force shall work with the Alabama Veterans Network (AlaVetNet) Legal Committee, as appropriate, to review and prioritize the goals set forth by that Committee in the attached Exhibit A.

EXHIBIT A

ALAVETNET LEGAL COMMITTEE

2016-2017 Committee Aims

CRIMINAL ASSISTANCE:  Veteran Treatment Courts

The Legal Committee would like to continue to foster the efforts to build and support Veteran Treatment Courts throughout the state.

Efforts:

1. Active Veteran Treatment Courts
   1. Identify active VTCs in Alabama and determine if any additional support is needed (21 as of 8/15).
   2. Create a networking opportunity and forum for support/advocacy for the VTCs
   3. Foster opportunities to share knowledge and community contacts with the VTCs
2. Veteran Treatment Courts in the Planning Stage
   1. Identify VTCs in the planning stage and determine what support is needed
   2. Begin assisting these VTCs

• Possible Veteran Treatment Courts
  1. Work with VA VJO and use Veteran population data to determine additional possible sites for VTCs
  2. Create a communication tool to share the VTC Guide and benefits of the VTCs
  3. Leverage Bill Bostick and Brad Almond

1. Awareness of Veteran Treatment Courts
   1. Market VTCs to more Veterans
   2. Consider posting updates on VTCs on State Bar Website and AlaVetNet website

CIVIL ASSISTANCE:  Veteran Law Clinics

The Legal Committee would like to support Veteran Law Clinics at VA medical centers in the state to ensure Veterans have access to legal assistance for civil matters.

Efforts:

1. Law Clinic at Tuscaloosa VAMC
   1. Assess the current law clinic collaborations with UA Law School and the Tuscaloosa VAMC to support and market to Veterans in the Tuscaloosa area
2. Law Clinic at Birmingham VAMC
   1. Support efforts of the Bar Volunteer Lawyer Program collaboration with Birmingham VAMC to begin a law clinic in 2016

• Law Clinic at CAVHCS
  1. Engage Jones Law School for a collaboration with CAVHC to begin a law clinic

GENERAL LEGAL RESOURCES:  Veterans Legal Guide and Repository

The Legal Committee would like to support a repository of Veteran Legal Information and Sources for the state.

Efforts:

1. Veteran Civil Legal Guide
   1. Work with State Bar and local law schools to update the current Veterans legal guide posted on the bar website
   2. Develop a schedule and system for updates of the guide
2. Repository of Information
   1. In addition to the Legal Guide on the State Bar website, consider a Veterans section on the website (like Texas) with a FAQ section
   2. Advocate to post laws affecting Veterans from the state VA website or the bar website or support a link