Legal Assistance & Re-Entry Programs
AmeriCorps VISTA ~ Veterans Advocacy Clinic (VAC)
https://www.umt.edu/law/academics/clinics/veterans-advocacy.php
The VAC supports low-income veterans through legal representation, legal consultation, and outreach, ensuring that the systems designed to support veterans are held accountable. The VAC is an active and motivated team environment.
Questions: Dannette Fadness, BFA, BS, MPA, Montana Campus Compact, AmeriCorps Program Manager, (406) 243-5181, fadness@mtcompact.org
Or, Hillary Wandler, Professor | Director, Veterans Advocacy Clinic, Clinic Wing, Room 110, Alexander Blewett III School of Law, UM, (406) 243-6788, hillary.wandler@umontana.edu
Conviction Expungement Process
https://dojmt.gov/enforcement/conviction-expungement-process/
Questions: Montana DoJ, contactdoj@mt.gov
Discrimination ~ Florin / Roebig Trial Attorneys
https://florinroebig.com/veteran-rights-discrimination/
Disabled Veteran Rights; Discrimination in the workplace, healthcare system, social setting, and legal settings; The laws protecting Veteran rights; What to do if you have experienced discrimination; Government resources & much more.
Questions: Megan Johnson, Outreach Specialist, Megan@florinroebig.com
Job Service Re-Entry Program ~ Montana DLI
Montana’s Job Hunting Guide for Montanans with Criminal Records: https://cor.mt.gov/Portals/104/Reentry/jobhunting.pdf
If you have questions, please call the Job Service Missoula (406) 728-7060 and ask for a Workforce Consultant who specializes in job search assistance and workforce development for job seekers with a criminal record.
Justice Involved Veterans ~ NVTI Featured Article
When looking to enter into or start a new position in the job market, it is important to have a game plan. Such preparation may be even more important for veterans who have been involved in the criminal justice system, also known as Justice Involved Veterans (JIVs). https://www.nvti.org/News-and-Announcements/Featured-Articles/Assisting-Justice-Involved-Veterans-with-Interviewing-Preparation
Misdemeanor & Felony-Friendly Jobs ~ 70 Million Jobs
https://www.70millionjobs.com/
70 Million Jobs will connect you with great companies that offer second chance jobs for people with criminal records. No cost to you.
Questions: info@70millionjobs.com
Missoula County
The DoC Safety & Justice Challenge Coordinator’s work touches on addiction and mental health issues in the criminal justice system. Her team has created Veteran-specific diversion or deflection programs. Contact Chelsea, Cwittmann@missoulacounty.us
Missoula Self Help Law Center
1535 Liberty Lane, Suite 110D, Missoula, (406) 258-3428
If you are in need of assistance, or would like to provide resources for our center, please email missoulaselfhelp@gmail.com
Missoula Veterans Court & Veteran Mentor Program ~ Treatment and Mentoring (justiceforvets.org)
Missoula County Courthouse, 200 W. Broadway, Missoula
Justice for Vets: https://justiceforvets.org/
TWO-PART TRAINING ~ Missoula Veterans Court CALL FOR MENTORS! Be TRUSTED FRIENDS..Through a Federal Grant we now have the capacity to take on more participants. The Veterans Court is an alternative treatment court that serve Veterans who are struggling with mental illness, substance abuse, and are involved with the criminal justice system. A Mentor must be a Veteran of any branch of the military. For more information about Veterans Court or to sign up for the training please contact Veteran Court Coordinator, Richard Reed, Richard.Reed@mt.gov or call the office at 406-258-4725.
If you have been thinking about how to help your fellow Montana service men and women, then this is the opportunity to help you fellow veterans deal with their issues and assimilate into civilian life following their military service.
Questions: Larry Anderson, Mentor - Missoula Veterans Court (406) 239-7621, lindalarry915@gmail.com
Call for Initial Intake - Veterans Court: Richard Reed, Veteran Court Coordinator (406) 258-4725, Richard.Reed@mt.gov
Montana DPHHS ~ Legal Services Developer Program
https://dphhs.mt.gov/sltc/aging/legalservicesdeveloper/
Provides elder law training and resources for older adults, family members and social outreach workers. The program also develops pro bono and local legal services referrals, training materials and telephone assistance.
Call 1-800-332-2272
Montana Legal Services Association (MTLSA)
APPLY: www.MTLSA.org
Montana Law - Veterans & Military section: https://www.montanalawhelp.org/issues/veterans-and-military
MLSA is a private, non-profit law firm, that provides non-criminal legal information, advice, and representation to Montanans. Their services help “fight scams on seniors, assist Veterans who have been denied benefits, help people escape abusive relationships, and represent families living in unsafe housing conditions”
Questions: 1-800-666-6899 (Option 5)
Stateside Legal: If you received a discharge that was other than Honorable, a discharge upgrade can help you access important VA benefits, services, and care. Or you may feel that your discharge was not fair and you want to correct it. Any veteran who has a discharge other than Honorable can apply for an upgrade.
Discharge Upgrades: https://statesidelegal.org/cm-discharge-upgrade-glossary#Kurta%20Memo
“Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for Discharge Upgrade”: https://statesidelegal.org/step-step-guide-how-apply-discharge-upgrade
Questions: Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) provides free civil legal help to eligible clients. MLSA may be able to refer you to a volunteer attorney for help with a discharge upgrade.
Questions: 1-800-666-6899 M-F, 9am to 1pm.
Montana Veterans Treatment Court Laws Revision Act
https://legiscan.com/MT/text/SB85/2019
Enacted April 1, 2019 ~ Montana’s revisions call for all detention centers to record the veteran status of all detainees if located in the same county as a VTC. This information is then sent to the local VTC, which now has legal responsibility to inform detained veterans about the program and their eligibility.
National Drug Court Resource, Policy, and Evidence-Based Practice Center ~ Justice Programs Office
Strives to provide practitioners and professionals working in the drug court field with current resources and upcoming events.
Questions: ndcrc@american.edu
Partners for Reintegration (PFR)
Missoula - Coalition of local agencies, faith congregations, service providers and community volunteers, including previously incarcerated individuals, working in partnership with the Department of Corrections to help returning citizens reintegrate from incarceration back into the Missoula community.
VSN Members - Employment Services:
MissoulaWorks, 202 Brooks St. (406) 926-3400: www.missoulaworks.com
J.O.B.S, 715 Kensington, 25 A (406) 541-6966: http://www.jobsinfomt.com
PFR questions: pfrmissoula@pfrmt.org
Stateside Legal
User Guide for website: http://statesidelegal.org/userguide
FREE online information, self-help tools and referrals for Veterans, service members, their families and advocates.
Questions: statesidelegal@gmail.com
UM Law School Clinic Directory
https://www.umt.edu/law/academics/clinics/clinic-directory.php
Questions: Alexander Blewett III School of Law, University of Montana, (406) 243-4311
Veterans Advocacy Clinic ~ FREE for Low Income Veterans!
The Veterans Advocacy Clinic at the School of Law has been partnering with the State Bar Veterans Law Section to train lawyers in the military discharge upgrade process. Interested veterans or service providers can email VeteransAdvClinic@mso.umt.edu
The Veterans Advocacy Clinic provides pro bono legal advocacy to Veterans and their families in Montana.
VA claims for service-connected disability benefits, increased disability rating, applications for discharge upgrade, and consultation with practitioners on various legal issues for Veterans.
Questions: Hillary Wandler, Professor & Director, Alexander Blewett III School of Law, Clinic Wing, Room 110, University of Montana, 32 Campus Dr., Msla, (406) 243-6788, hillary.wandler@umontana.edu
Hillary - UM LAW Faculty:
http://www.umt.edu/law/faculty/directory/default.php?ID=3224
Schedule an Appointment: https://calendly.com/hillary-wandler
VA Veterans Justice Outreach
“A Guidebook for Incarcerated Veterans” (Click link and then Montana): http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/Reentry_Guides.asp
Justice and Reentry-Related Services ~ VA Veterans Justice Outreach Program: https://www.va.gov/homeless/vjo.asp
Questions - Montana: Jackie Merritt, LCSW, Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist, VA Montana Health Care System - Fort Harrison, (406) 447-6021, jackie.merritt@va.gov
Veterans Justice and Mental Health (VJMH) ~ Justice Programs Office at American University
https://www.american.edu/spa/jpo/
Questions: justice@american.edu