At last week's very informative Courts and Corrections Committee hearing for NorCo Council, Judge Jennifer Sletvold provided an overview of the county's three treatment courts She, along with Judges Brian Panella and Jeremy Clark, preside over these courts.
Sletvold expressed great enthusiasm for these programs, describing them as the most meaningful aspect of her judicial role. "I love administering our treatment courts," she said, using a word rarely heard by a judge. These three specialty courts, sometimes called problem-solving courts, include Recovery Court, Mental Health Court, and Veterans Court. Problem-solving courts were first championed approximately 10 years ago under Judge Craig Dally as a Recovery Court for people suffering from addiction. It was then expanded with the Mental Health Court, Two years ago, Judge Sletvold provided the impetus for Veterans Court, which just had its first graduation.
Noting that she is the wife of a veteran, she told Council that she is "honored to be able to serve our veterans and our community through veterans court." She invited everyone to watch the proceedings, usually conducted on Thursdays, calling it an "uplifting" experience.
Speaking specifically about veterans, she said, "You'll see a veteran start out in prison so low. So just down on their luck, so sad about where they're at, in trouble, addicted, mental health court issues, PTSD, what have you. As they have progressed through this program, we have united veterans with their children. We have gotten them on their feet. We've gotten them housing, we've gotten them functioning, and it's just really wonderful to see. And the feel, the vibe in Veterans Court. Please come see it."
A key theme of the presentation was the transformative impact these courts have on participants. Judge Sledfold highlighted how individuals often enter the program at low points, facing addiction, mental health challenges, or trauma such as PTSD, but gradually progress toward stability. Outcomes frequently include reunification with family, access to housing, and improved functioning within the community. She emphasized that while the courts serve distinct populations, there is substantial overlap among participants, particularly between mental health and substance use disorders.
Judge Sledfold explained important structural differences among the three courts. Mental Health Court operates entirely on a diversion model, meaning participants avoid prosecution if they successfully complete the program. Veterans Court uses a hybrid approach, with approximately half of participants on diversion and others entering through guilty pleas, particularly in DUI cases. Recovery Court differs in that all participants have some form of conviction and are not eligible for full diversion. Despite these differences, all three courts share the same overarching goal: to provide treatment, support, and accountability in order to help individuals reintegrate into society while reducing long-term costs associated with incarceration.
Each treatment court relies on a multidisciplinary team that includes judges, assistant district attorneys, public defenders, probation officers, and treatment specialists. Strong partnerships exist with the county prison, sheriff’s department, mental health agencies, and the Veterans Affairs system. Judge Sledfold highlighted the recent addition of a deputy sheriff as a formal team member, which has enhanced coordination and participant support. She noted that a deputy sheriff provides a perspective from law enforcement, Veterans Court also benefits from volunteer veteran mentors who provide peer support and play a critical role in participant success.
Mental Health Court even has a dog on its team.
Weekly team meetings are held prior to court sessions to review participant progress. Court sessions then involve direct engagement with participants through review hearings. Mental Health Court is capped at 25 participants due to resource constraints, while Recovery Court and Veterans Court currently have no such cap.
She highlighted ongoing efforts to achieve formal accreditation through a national organization that establishes best practices for treatment courts. The county is currently pursuing accreditation for Recovery Court in 2026, which will be followed by Mental Health and Veterans Court.
Participants are provided transportation assistance through community partnerships, and community service initiatives such as a veterans-run garden at Louise Moore Park, where I was evicted a few years ago for keeping a weed-infested garden.. Funding for the courts comes from a combination of county resources, grants, and volunteer contributions.
Housing and access to mental health treatment are the most significant ongoing challenges. But lack of housing is no bar to admission into the program, and securing stable housing is a key component of participant support.
A listing of treatment courts in Pennsylvania can be found here. There are even treatment courts for prostitution in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
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