GUAM VETERANS TREATMENT COURT

TO GRADUATE JUSTICE-INVOLVED VETERANS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 09, 2017 (Guam Judicial Center
Hagta, Guam) - On Friday, January 13, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. in the courtroom of the
Honorable Judge Maria T. Cenzon, seven (7) justice-involved veterans will graduate
having successfully completed an intensive program designed to connect veterans
suffering from substance abuse and/or mental health disorders with the benefits and
treatment they have earned. Dr. Edward Santos, Ph.D, Clinical Psychologist, United
States Department of Veteran Affairs will deliver the keynote address. An historic first
for the Guam Veteran Treatment Court, this is the 1st Graduation Ceremony since it was
founded on September 10, 2015.
The Guam Veterans Treatment Court combines rigorous treatment and
accountability for justice-involved veterans facing incarceration due to charges stemming
from substance abuse and/or mental health issues. This specialty court promotes sobriety,
recovery and stability through a coordinated response and the understanding that the
bonds of military service and combat run deep. Veterans Treatment Courts not only allow
veterans to go through the treatment court process with other veterans who are similarly
situated and have common past experiences, but links them with Veterans Affairs
services uniquely designed for the distinct needs that arise from that experience. Veterans
Treatment Courts expedite access to veteran-specific resources, including benefits and
treatment earned through military service, by involving the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs health care networks, the Veterans Benefits Administration, State Departments of
Veterans Affairs, volunteer veteran mentors and veterans and veterans family support
organizations
The media is invited to witness the event and to observe the VTC Graduation
Ceremony. To confirm your attendance, please contact Clynt Ridgell at 300-9282 or
cridgell@guamcourts.org. For more information about the Guam VTC and on
volunteering to become a mentor, contact Jay Perez at 300-7267 or
jperez@guamcourts.org or Christine Taimanglo Invencion at 300-7267 or
ctaimanglo@guamcourts.org.
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