Media, PA – As part of his continued work assisting our nation’s Veterans, U.S. Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-07) today announced he will soon introduce legislation to help communities across the country access federal assistance to create Veterans’ Treatment Courts.

At a press conference held today, Meehan joined members of the Delaware County Council, Council Chairman Jack Whelan, District Attorney G. Michael Green, President Judge of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge Joseph P. Cronin, and Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCaffery, to announce the Delaware County Veterans Justice Initiative.

“I commend the Delaware County Council for their work to ensure that our Veterans get the assistance they need,” said Congressman Meehan.  “The fact is that Veterans’ Treatment Courts are working for our Vets. I am proud to help support this initiative announced today by the County Council. Now we must ensure that communities across the country are able to establish Veterans’ Treatment Courts. I will soon introduce federal legislation to do just that.”

“Today we are seeing many Vets struggling with substance abuse and other issues related to the difficulties of service,” continued Meehan. “Unfortunately, these men and women often end up in the court system. It is our duty to make sure these issues are being properly addressed in the courts.”

Congressman Meehan plans to introduce legislation that will give communities across the country access to federal assistance to create Veterans’ Treatment Courts in their area, and improve existing Veterans’ Treatment Courts. The funding will come from federal dollars already appropriated. The bill will not require any new spending.

The Delaware County Veterans Justice Initiative will create a 15-member task force to plan the implementation of a Veterans Justice Initiative that will include a Veterans’ Treatment Court. A key component of the Veterans Justice Initiative is to connect veterans with treatment and support services, offered through public and private programs that include the County Office of Human Services and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Delaware County would be the sixth jurisdiction in Pennsylvania to establish a special court for Veterans. The first Veterans’ Treatment Court was established in Buffalo, N.Y. in 2007.