Veterans court graduates Charles Curran (left) and Kyle Rice (right) stand with Judge Juan Velasquez after their graduation in February.[/caption]

Williamson County opened its Veterans Treatment Court program in May 2015, and so far six veterans have graduated from the program.

The court is part of the Williamson County Court at Law 2 docket.

The court aims to provide assistance to veterans and active-duty members of the military who are struggling with trauma or substance abuse and have been arrested. According to the county, many of the veterans involved in the program experience post-traumatic stress disorder or have traumatic brain injuries or mental health disorders.

Veterans involved in the program follow a plan created by their treatment provider, such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and receive one-on-one mentoring by a veteran mentor through the court.  The program’s strategy is to hold participating veterans accountable while also empowering those veterans to seek treatment, according to a county news release.

“We know that not all injuries are visible. If our veterans suffer a great fall, we should do all in our power to make them whole and get them on their feet,” said Judge Juan Velasquez, who is a former Army captain.

Men and women who are honorably discharged or who are on active duty are eligible for the program.

The veterans court currently has 22 veterans enrolled in the program.