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VETERANS TREATMENT COURT (VTC)

On June 7, 2017, the Santa Barbara County Probation Department was awarded a three-year grant
totaling $975,000 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA),

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). This grant
will allow for expansion and enhancement of the Veterans
Treatment Court (VTC) in Santa Barbara, which is a joint
initiative among justice partners, community-based
treatment providers and veterans’ service organizations. The
grant will facilitate operational enhancement and

partnership between the Probation Department, Santa
Barbara County Superior Court, and a consortium of
community based organizations (Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, New Beginnings Counseling
Center and Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics), in collaboration with local city, county and federal

veterans’ organizations and the University of California, Santa Barbara. VTC is a collaboration involving
the Court, Probation, BW, and a consortium of CBOs in partnership with the U.S. Department of
Veteran Affairs (VA). VTC serves the highest risk veterans with substance dependency and/or mental
illness that are charged with non-violent criminal conduct. The primary goals of the VTC are to affirm
veterans’ military service while addressing their unique needs by increasing local, culturally competent
treatment options with the VA, veteran organizations, and service agencies; to implement a Veteran

Mentor Program to support clients in sustaining recovery and sobriety; and to use evidence-based
screening and assessment tools to link the veteran to appropriate services, reduce incarceration rates,
and facilitate their reintegration to the community. VTC is a post-plea program that utilizes the SATC
treatment team approach to case management.

PROPOSITION 36 SUBSTANCE ABUSE CRIME PREVENTION ACT OF 2000

Proposition 36, also known as the Substance Abuse Crime Prevention Act (SACPA) of 2000, intends to

“divert from incarceration into community based substance abuse treatment programs non-violent
offenders, probationers and parolees who are charged with simple drug possession offenses.” Those
drug users charged with certain narcotic offenses are mandated to drug treatment. Eligible offenders
must participate in and complete a drug treatment program, no longer than 9 months; however, the

court may approve 3 month aftercare extensions, not to exceed 24 months.

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