By David Sexton, Program Coordinator | Office of Court Services, Justice Services Division
The Lake County Veterans Treatment Court was recently selected to serve as a national mentor court by the Justice for Vets division of All Rise (formerly the National Association of Drug Court Professionals) and the U.S. Department of Justice. Lake County will host site visits and provide one-on-one professional shadowing opportunities for teams and individuals across the country who are interested in forming their own Veterans Treatment Court.
The Honorable Julie Cantrell, who oversees the Lake Veterans Treatment Court, said, “It is a tremendous honor to be nationally recognized for our efforts to help the veterans of Lake County. We now have the opportunity to share our vision for helping our veterans with other courts across the nation.”
National Recognition
One of only five veteran mentor courts nationwide, the Lake County Veterans Treatment Court will serve a three-year term as a mentor court. All Rise highlights the strength of Lake County’s community ties and its recently expanded alumni component. The court engages various community partners to build a strong base of support for veterans as they progress through and beyond the program.
“We now have the opportunity to share our vision for helping our veterans with other courts across the nation.”
Once veterans successfully graduate, they can remain engaged with the court voluntarily, keeping them connected with the support system they have established and strengthening their sobriety. Justice for Vets director Scott Tirocchi said, “This program is a shining example of serving those who have served us… As a mentor court, this program is helping veterans who might otherwise be incarcerated into lives of recovery and hope.”
Ten-Year Success
The Lake County Veterans Treatment Court was established in 2014, celebrating its ten-year anniversary last year. As of February 2025, more than 300 veterans had successfully completed the program. In 2023, the court reported a successful completion rate of 86%.
“…this program is helping veterans who might otherwise be incarcerated into lives of recovery and hope.”
Participants are connected with a wide range of services through the court. In addition to the addiction treatment services fundamental to the treatment court model, veterans can attend parenting and high school equivalency classes, engage tutoring services, get assistance obtaining employment, and find help addressing other physical and mental health needs.
The key factor is community. Lake County has a robust mentorship program that fills a niche for veterans seeking sober fellowship with other people who understand life in—and after—the military.
Statewide Growth
Lake County’s national recognition affirms Indiana as a treatment court leader and comes at a time of continued growth in Indiana problem-solving courts. There are 28 certified veterans treatment courts in Indiana (of the over 500 nationwide). There are now 140 certified Indiana problem-solving courts, and 17 jurisdictions are planning new courts. Of Indiana’s 92 counties, 61 have at least one problem-solving court or are planning a new court.
Applications are now open for treatment court teams or individuals to visit Lake County or any of the other 2025-2027 veteran mentor courts or adult mentor courts across the country. Mentor court visitors can connect to additional training and technical assistance opportunities through All Rise. For additional information about mentor courts and training opportunities, visit the All Rise website: allrise.org.