Veterans Diversion Program
Introduction
The information provided on this site; mentor guidelines and mentor application, is being furnished in accordance with P. L. 2017, c. 042.
It is our sincere hope that you will review the guidelines and complete and send the mentor application to the Department so that we may enter you in a data-base that can be shared with the Attorney General’s Office and the law enforcement community so that qualifying Veterans who have been alleged to have committed an eligible offense may be assisted under the Veterans Diversion Program (created by P.L. 2017, c. 042).
Volunteer mentors are being recruited to “assist an eligible servicemember who is a veteran in accessing assistance to resolve the underlying problems that led or contributed to the eligible servicemember’s involvement with the criminal justice system.”
New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA) Service Officers can be helpful sources of assistance in claims work, VA health-care referrals, educational assistance through the GI Bill, property tax deductions or exemptions, Civil Service Veterans Preference, death benefits, homeless veterans resources, State health-care services for veterans, etc.
The DMAVA service office listing includes the address and phone number for each. It is being furnished for your guidance and reference and to let you know that DMAVA Service Officers stand ready to provide you with any veteran benefit information that you may require.
It is our sincere hope that you will volunteer to serve as a mentor so that those men and women who are determined to be eligible for the Diversion Program have every tool they need to succeed and one of the most important tools is a mentor. Please consider making a difference by completing and returning the mentor application as soon as possible.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor please complete and return the enclosed application to Joseph.Nyzio@dmava.nj.gov.
Guidelines for Mentors
A mentor’s first obligation is to support the Veteran. The mentor will protect a Veteran’s welfare and diligently seek to assist the Veteran in achieving his or her goals.
- Always act in the best interest of the Veteran
- Act in a professional manner when representing the program and the sponsoring agencies in the community
- Refer the Veteran to other agencies/organizations only after conferring with an appropriate official
- Work with appropriate officials to resolve any conflicts that might arise
- Mentor within the limits of your training and competency
- Refrain from attempting to instill your personal values, lifestyle or beliefs in the Veteran
- Be honest and do not promise any better outcome than can be expected
- Do not exploit the Veteran or any agency for personal advantage
- Refrain from involvement in any monetary business with the Veteran
- Harassment of any type or kind will not be tolerated (physical, verbal or mental). Any report of inappropriate behavior will be investigated and legal action may be initiated
- Personal information about the Veteran is confidential. Only provide personal information relating to the Veteran to persons that he or she has identified in a signed release form
- Inform the Veteran that it will be necessary for you to report illegal or destructive behavior to the appropriate official
Apply to be a Mentor
Please include a mailing address, email address, or phone number we can reach you at.
All fields marked with a "*" are mandatory.
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