DOI: 10.3886/icpsr37850.v1
title: Multisite Evaluation of Veterans Treatment Courts: Systematic Assessment of Implementation and Intermediate Outcomes, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas, 2016-2019
title: Version 1

description: The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive multi-site examination of veterans treatment court (VTC) operations through an implementation and intermediate outcome evaluation. The focus was primarily on VTC processes and participant populations, as well as basic participant outcomes. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from baseline and follow-up interviews, self-report survey data, semi-structured observations, and official records from eight VTC programs in three states.


Users should note that qualitative data are not available as part of this study at this time. It is not known when these data might be made available.
description: This study's purpose was to expand the knowledge base on veterans treatment courts (VTCs), as well as specialized courts in general, and address the limitations of prior research. Specifically, this study was designed to address the following research questions:

What population are the VTCs serving?
What are the policies and procedures of the VTC programs?
Does the VTC adhere to the 10 Key Components of VTCs?
What are the graduation and termination rates in these programs?
description: <b>Veterans treatment court (VTC) Team Surveys</b>: VTC team members were asked to complete a confidential survey. These surveys were administered throughout the study period once per team member. Team members surveyed included, but were not limited to, judges, assistant district attorneys, public defenders, probation officers, Veteran Justice Outreach specialists (VJOs), VTC coordinators, community treatment providers, and mentor program coordinators.


<b>Fidelity of Implementation (FOI)</b>: The FOI instruments were completed by the on-site researchers and VTC team members at different points throughout the study period. During Year 1 of data collection, the on-site researchers completed the FOIs quarterly. During Years 2 and 3 of data collection, the team members and on-site researchers completed the FOIs quarterly.


<b>Semi-Structured Observations - Staffing and Docket</b>: On-site researchers attended VTC team meetings and dockets during Years 1, 2, and 3 of the study. They completed paper semi- structured observation instruments, collecting quantitative and qualitative data on overall process, dynamics, and decision making in team meetings and court dockets.


<b>Official Court Records</b>: Data from official court records was also collected from the VTCs in each of the eight sites and includes information related to participant characteristics and VTC status.
description: Presence of Common Scales: Several Likert-type scales were used.
description: The interview sampling frame consisted of offenders with a history of military service who had contact with the eight veterans treatment courts (VTCs) during the first 2 years of data collection. At their respective VTC dockets, the researchers recruited participants for the baseline interview through announcements and recruitment flyers. Incentives in the form of gift cards were used to increase study participation. For follow-up interviews, previously interviewed veterans were contacted using the information they provided to the researcher at the time of the baseline interview for the follow-ups.
description: Datasets: 
DS0: Study-Level Files
DS1: Baseline Primary
DS2: 12-Month Follow-up Primary
DS3: 24-Month Follow-up Primary
DS4: Participant Mental Health
DS5: Participant Substance Abuse
DS6: Participant Substance Abuse 12-Month Follow-up
DS7: Participant Substance Abuse 24-Month Follow-up
DS8: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) Researcher Fidelity of Implementation (FOI)
DS9: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) Team Member Fidelity of Implementation (FOI)
DS10: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 1: Docket Database Year 1 and 2
DS11: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 1: Docket Database Year 3 and 4
DS12: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 1: Team Meeting Observation Year 1 and 2
DS13: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 1: Team Meeting Observation Year 3 and 4
DS14: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 2: Docket Database Year 1 and 2
DS15: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 2: Docket Database Year 3 and 4
DS16: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 2: Team Meeting Observation Year 1 and 2
DS17: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 2: Team Meeting Observation Year 3 and 4
DS18: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 3: Docket Database Year 1 and 2
DS19: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 3: Docket Database Year 3 and 4
DS20: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 3: Team Meeting Observation Year 1 and 2
DS21: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 3: Team Meeting Observation Year 3 and 4
DS22: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 4: Docket Database Year 1 and 2
DS23: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 4: Docket Database Year 3 and 4
DS24: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 4: Team Meeting Observation Year 1 and 2
DS25: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 4: Team Meeting Observation Year 3 and 4
DS26: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 5: Docket Database Year 1 and 2
DS27: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 5: Docket Database Year 3 and 4
DS28: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 5: Team Meeting Observation Year 1 and 2
DS29: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 5: Team Meeting Observation Year 3 and 4
DS30: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 6: Docket Database Year 1 and 2
DS31: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 6: Docket Database Year 3 and 4
DS32: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 6: Team Meeting Observation Year 1 and 2
DS33: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 6: Team Meeting Observation Year 3 and 4
DS34: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 7: Docket Database Year 1 and 2
DS35: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 7: Docket Database Year 3 and 4
DS36: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 7: Team Meeting Observation Year 1 and 2
DS37: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 7: Team Meeting Observation Year 3 and 4
DS38: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 8: Docket Database Year 1 and 2
DS39: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 8: Docket Database Year 3 and 4
DS40: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 8: Team Meeting Observation Year 1 and 2
DS41: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) 8: Team Meeting Observation Year 3 and 4
DS42: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) Participant Sampling Frame
DS43: Official Data From Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) Program Sites
DS44: Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) Team Survey
description: Veterans treatment courts in the United States.
description: face-to-face interview; self-enumerated questionnaire; on-site questionnaireUsers should note that qualitative data are not available as part of this study at this time. It is not known when these data might be made available.