Justice with Compassion: VA Providence Brings Trauma-Informed Care to the Courtroom
Today, we’re highlighting the essential behind-the-scenes work happening in our Veterans Justice Program.
Erica Madaus, LICSW, one of our dedicated Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists, led a comprehensive two-hour training on Trauma-Informed Care for the Pretrial Services Unit at the Rhode Island District Court in Kent County Courthouse. This specialized training equips court personnel with the knowledge to understand and respond compassionately to Veterans impacted by trauma within the criminal justice system.
Erica’s expertise stems from a train-the-trainer opportunity through SAMHSA’s GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation, allowing her to bring cutting-edge insights back to Rhode Island. This initiative underscores our commitment to supporting justice-involved Veterans and facilitating positive community partnerships. Erica aims to adapt this training to suit other stakeholders, expanding this impactful knowledge across Rhode Island and within our VA family.
Through efforts like these, we’re building a more informed and supportive environment for Veterans across all aspects of our community.