LOS ANGELES (May 2026) — The 2026 Veterans Treatment Court Symposium brought together expertise from across Southern California to strengthen veteran treatment courts and improve outcomes for veterans involved in the justice system.
The symposium agenda included sessions on serving veterans in custody, Veterans Crisis Response, new and emerging legal updates, trauma responses in justice-involved veterans, clinical considerations and life circumstances for service members and their families, reentry support in Los Angeles County and lived experience perspectives. Additional programming included discipline-specific breakout sessions, a mentor bootcamp track and a networking reception designed to strengthen collaboration among attendees.
Supporting justice-involved veterans often requires an understanding of veteran culture and coordinated engagement among courts, law enforcement, behavioral health providers, and community organizations.
“Veterans don’t want to be treated like they’re broken,” stated Dave Weiner, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Secure Measures during the Veterans Crisis Response panel discussion.
Sessions focused on custody-based programming and reentry explored how structure, mentorship and continuity of care can support veterans transitioning back into the community. Speakers described partnerships that connect veterans with housing, employment opportunities, educational resources and behavioral health support.
“They talk with each other about how to overcome barriers, as well as get connected with more community resources,” said Army National Guard veteran Janelle Brown-Peters, Assistant Director of Admissions Planning and Data at California Western School of Law.
Throughout the symposium, presenters emphasized that no single organization could meet every need alone and that collaboration across agencies remains essential to long-term success.
“We’ve been building these relationships over time, and we’ve been able to get out of our own egos and silos. This is for the best interest of the veteran and the community as a whole,” said Sgt. Patrick V. Blanchfield-Gadut, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Veteran Mental Evaluation Team (VMET), during the Veterans Crisis Response panel discussion on coordinated support systems.
The symposium concluded with discussions centered on lived experience perspectives, family impact and the importance of support for veterans and their families navigating transition, recovery and reintegration.
“Just ask. You—or someone in your family—may have military service and be eligible for resources you may not even know exist for yourself, your spouse, your children, and your family,” said Orange County Superior Court Family Court Judge Mary Kreber during the Lived Experience panel.
Discussions throughout the symposium reinforced the importance of early intervention, coordinated partnerships and continued investment in programs that help veterans access stability, support and opportunities for long-term success.
The symposium highlighted the value of understanding veteran culture and experiences when serving justice-involved veterans. Organizations looking to build their knowledge and strengthen veteran-informed practices can participate in free virtual and in-person training offered by Secure Measures. Upcoming training dates and registration information are available at www.secure-measures.com/pages/events-calendar.
Story by Layla Romero, Public Information Staff Assistant, Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
