A Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist's Perspective

• In Event: Policy Panel: Theoretical and Practical Issues Facing Veterans Treatment Courts and Those in Contact with Them

Abstract

Karen Janda is the VJO team member for the Travis County Veterans Treatment Court and the Hays County Veterans Treatment Court. She received her Masters of Social Work in 1992 from the University of Texas at Austin. She worked at the Dallas VA from 1992 to 2009 and then transferred to the VA Austin Outpatient Clinic in 2009. Karen has worked most of her VA career with veterans with mental health and substance abuse issues and for the past 11 years with justice-involved veterans. She participated on the team to plan and develop the Travis County Veterans Treatment Court, which had its first bi-weekly docket on November 10, 2010. Karen also participated in the initial planning of the Williamson County Veterans Court.

Author

• Karen Janda, Travis County Veterans Court