Veterans program wins award

The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit's Veterans Treatment and Assistance Court Mentoring Program has been recognized recently with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties, according to a news release. The awards are presented to honor innovative and effective county government programs that enhance services for its county residents. The mentoring program was established shortly after the launching of Lake County's Veterans Treatment and Assistance Court in 2011. The purpose of the program is to provide veteran offenders with encouragement from peer support and assistance so they remain in compliance with court-ordered rehabilitative treatment and other court conditions, with the end result of successfully completing the program. The program can take 12 to 30 months, depending on the individual case. "The success of the mentoring program has gone above and beyond the court's expectations," Chief Judge John Phillips said.