The Hernando County Fifth Judicial Circuit announces its first graduate, Victor Neglia, from the newly established Veterans’ Treatment Court Program. The graduation ceremony took place August 30 on the 4^th floor of the Hernando County Government Center located at 20 N. Main St. in Brooksville.

Neglia served in the U.S. Army from 1979-1981 as a 76 Delta material supply clerk specialist. He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when he was honorably discharged.

“There is a high prevalence of PTSD, traumatic brain injury and major depressive disorder among combat veterans,” Circuit Judge Donald Scaglione explains. “This program recognizes the unique challenges facing veterans and connects them to the services they need.”

The Hernando County Veterans’ Treatment Court is a special division of the Hernando County Court system. It is a Court-supervised program for veterans arrested on felony charges in Hernando County who have a mental illness or substance abuse condition related to their military service, who need treatment or other services and choose to participate in the program instead of having their case proceed through the regular court process.

The mission of the Veterans’ Treatment Court Program is to promote public safety while supporting eligible veterans and their families through a coordinated effort among veterans’ services, community services and the Court to leave no eligible veteran behind.

Contact Amy Baldwin, alternative courts coordinator, at (352) 540-6279 or go to www.circuit5.org/programs-services/veteran-treatment-court/hernando-county-veterans-treatment-court/ for more information.