BROOKLYN — Today, Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes and Chief Administrative Judge Ann Pfau, of Brooklyn Heights, will announce a new diversion program for military veterans who become involved in the criminal justice system.

This program, titled the Veterans Project, is designed to identify nonviolent veteran offenders and provide outreach and specialized support, in some cases helping veterans avoid prison time.

At 11 a.m. today at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Manhattan, Brooklyn D.A. Hynes and Judge Pfau will be joined by New York state Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman, Queens County District Attorney Richard A. Brown and Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice to announce the launch of the program.

“This program opens the door for healthcare providers to help veterans who have become involved in the criminal justice system with much-needed mental health and substance abuse services,� said Martina Parauda, acting director of the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System.

The Department of Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System and New York State Division of Veterans Affairs are supporting the program across the city and state.

“This gives the healthcare professionals of the VA [Veterans Affairs] New York Harbor Healthcare System one more tool to coordinate services for our veterans,� Parauda said.

A Veteran Justice Outreach Specialist will be in charge of identifying assisting veterans who become involved in the criminal justice system. Many of these veterans will be returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Support for Brooklyn’s veterans involved in the Veterans Project will come from Bay Ridge, where the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Brooklyn is located.

Ray Aalbue, a local Veterans Affairs spokesperson, credited District Attorney Hynes’ support for this program.

“The D.A. has a proven track record of helping communities,� he said. “We’re looking forward to the collaboration.�

Aalbue said the Veterans Program will also support veterans who are victims of crime.

—Samuel Newhouse
Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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