May 2020 Newsletter
Editor's Note
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, National Trauma Awareness Month, National Drug Court Month, and National Military Appreciation Month, to name a few. You might wonder how these seemingly disparate things are related. But upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that whether someone is struggling with mental health or substance use disorder; surviving trauma; living with the unintended consequences of having served multiple tours in a combat zone; or coping with stress and anxiety caused by the uncertainty linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a greater need in the coming months and years for support to mend and safeguard our collective well-being. This month, we celebrate our commitment to drug treatment courts, mental health treatment courts, veterans treatment courts, and other diversion programs that offer treatment rather than punishment to benefit participants and communities. As courts reopen and adjust how they operate, we must take care of ourselves so we can continue to deliver for our communities. Stay safe and healthy. Leola Abraham, Associate Director of Communications, JPO 
Quarantine Responsibly: Drinking in Self-Isolation
Read our latest blog by JPO’s Dr. John Eassey about drinking in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Eassey discusses quarantining responsibly as liquor store sales surge. In the blog he encourages readers to remain mindful about their alcohol consumption during the pandemic even if it seems like “normal” behavior. One study roughly estimates that one in three people are consuming alcohol while working from home during this period of self-isolation. Dr. Eassey writes, “Liquor stores being considered “essential” in many states is also telling. Ironically, excessive alcohol use potentially weakens the immune system , which seems a little counterproductive and all the more reason to remain mindful.” Read the blog.
Federal Pass-Through Funds Available to State and Local Courts Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis
JPO's Justice in Government Project director, Karen A. Lash , recently spoke with Danielle Hirsch and Zach Zarnow of the National Center for State Courts about federal pass-through funds available to state and local courts navigating the COVID-19 crisis. Their discussion highlights a new Grants Matrix of curated state-administered federal funds (including block, formula, and open-ended reimbursement grants) that can support court technology innovations that are especially important during COVID-19, such as teleconferencing for remote hearings, document assembly tools, or self-help websites. Lash also walks through the first steps of the funding application process and gives helpful tips to consider when pursuing these opportunities. Watch the Tiny Chat here .
COVID-19 Creating Access to Justice Crisis
In March, as state courts suspended or limited operations to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention social distancing guidelines, they limited access to courts and courtrooms. Some courts began conducting bond, preliminary, sentencing, and probation and parole violation hearings by video teleconferencing. Further, jails and prisons suspended visitation, at times only permitting legal visitation, and adjusted telephone and video call policies and costs. In some cases, public defenders reported attorney-client visits are cancelled or significantly limited. The COVID-19 crisis is creating an “access to justice crisis” that threatens a defendant's Sixth Amendment rights to counsel and to a speedy trial. JPO’s Right to Counsel team is tracking this issue. To learn more about our Right to Counsel work, visit our website or follow us on Twitter .
Events
Veterans Event Rescheduled
We are pleased to announce a NEW date for the Moral Wounds of War and PTSD: A Live Panel Discussion event with experts examining PTSD, the moral wounds of war, and efforts to address these issues. The event will take place on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. EST at American University’s Washington College of Law. Visit JPO’s website or follow us on Twitter for more updates.

NADCP RISE20  
NADCP RISE20 Virtual Conference will be held Tuesday, May 26 to Friday, May 29, 2020. Originally scheduled to take place in Anaheim, California, the event will now occur online. The event promises to provide the unparalleled education and resources that members and other justice and treatment professionals have come to expect.

RISE20 Virtual will feature:
  • New content addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment courts,
  • An unprecedented number of continuing education credit hours—up to 60,
  • Favorite speakers and topics, and 
  • Surprise celebrity guests. To learn more go to: NADCP Conference website.
Resources
JPO's Justice in Government Project and NLADA have created a new resource that provides information about COVID-19 related appropriations, law, and agency guidance that can help support legal aid providers and courts. It contains information on non-LSC federal funding sources including:

  • AmeriCorps
  • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
  • Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
  • Edward Bryne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant
  • Fair Housing Initiatives Program Education and Outreach (EOI)
  • Family Violence Prevention Services (FVPSA) formula grants
  • Older Americans Act
  • Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program
  • HHS HRSA Section 330 funding for health centers
  • STOP (Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant
  • Title IV-E foster care program

This resource will be continually updated as new guidance is published. For more information about these and other state-administered federal funds that can support legal aid, including examples, helpful tips, and statutory language regarding legal aid, see The Justice in Government Project’s Grants Matrix . To discuss how legal aid providers and courts can leverage new appropriations and agency guidance, contact The Justice in Government Project director Karen Lash at klash@american.edu .
News, Legislation, Policy
Congratulations! 
JPO’s Dr. Julie Marie Baldwin was awarded the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences; Academy New Scholar Award 2020. 

COVID-19 Hasn't Stopped the Eddy County DWI Drug Court's Mission
May is National Drug Court Month and this year marks the 30th anniversary of treatment courts. Eddy County DWI Program’s Drug Court, program coordinator Jennifer Hedrick says that although the COVID-19 pandemic has halted the annual Drug Court awareness event, the team is continuing to work diligently to provide treatment and ancillary services to our participants. She said: “We are continuing to provide supervision, drug and alcohol testing, and treatment through this time. Read more .

W.Va.'s Family Treatment Courts Forced to Adapt During Pandemic
Five West Virginia counties had launched a new program, called Family Treatment Court, to help reunify families when parents need help dealing with addiction. Learn about how with social distancing, judges and other stakeholders with Family Treatment courts are forced to get creative to keep the program going. Read more .

Resources of Veterans Treatment Court Continue During Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the VA’s Veterans Justice Program offers virtual groups and telehealth appointments for the veteran and continues to coordinate with veterans treatment courts. The goal is to keep the holistic treatment of the veteran a priority. Read more .

COVID-19 Relief May Be Out of Reach for Those with a Criminal Record
To assist small business owners the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act was signed on March 27. The legislation allocated $349 billion to the Small Business Administration for a "Paycheck Protection Program" of forgivable loans, plus an additional $10 billion for grants of up to $10,000 — money, with no payback required. But there are eligibility restrictions for those with criminal records. Read more .