The Oakland County 52-2 District Court is proud to announce the restarting of the North Oakland Veterans Treatment Court Program, a specialized initiative dedicated to supporting military veterans involved in the justice system.
Established in 2013, the program is the result of a collaborative partnership between the 51st District Court in Waterford, the 50th District Court in Pontiac, and the 52-2 District Court in Clarkston. Since its inception, the program has operated out of the 51st District Court. In September 2025, the 51st District Court paused operations of the program due to ongoing logistical issues, temporarily suspending services for participating veterans.
With the relaunch at the 52-2 District Court, the program will resume its mission of providing veterans with access to structured support services—including treatment, mentorship, case management, and intensive judicial supervision—to promote recovery, stability, and long-term well-being.
Since 2013, 107 veterans have successfully graduated from the North Oakland Veterans Treatment Court Program. Among these graduates, the program has achieved an exceptionally low 4% recidivism rate, demonstrating its strong effectiveness in reducing re-offending and supporting successful reintegration into the community.
“We are so thrilled that 52-2 is continuing this valuable program, to help our returning veterans who have faced many challenges in their post-service readjustment, such as mental and physical health problems, family stress, addiction, and more,” said Jen Thom, administrator of the 51st District Court. “We have an amazing and dedicated team that are excited to resume operations with little downtime.
We have been fortunate to receive remarkable cooperation from the State, and we continue to work collaboratively with Oakland County to ensure a smooth and effective transition.”
“When it became clear that a transition would be necessary, I felt strongly that this court, and the veterans who rely on it, could not be allowed to dissipate,” said 52-2 District Court Judge Kelley Kostin.
“My staff and I have worked diligently to establish and sustain the Veterans Treatment Court within this jurisdiction. I am grateful to the Waterford District Court, Judge Kuhn, Judge Fox, Angie Reid, and Jen Thom for their guidance and assistance throughout this endeavor. In addition, I would like to thank the Pontiac District Court—and especially Judge Walker—for the time, insight, and effort she has devoted to this cause. Although the Veterans Treatment Court will remain a collaborative initiative among all three participating courts, its physical operations will be centralized at the 52-2 District Court.”
The program’s collaborative, multidisciplinary model leverages partnerships with veteran service providers, mental health and substance use treatment agencies, community mentors, and local organizations. This coordinated approach supports veterans who may be coping with behavioral health conditions or trauma stemming from their military service.
With operations restarting, eligible veterans from participating jurisdictions will once again have access to the structured interventions and accountability measures that have made the program a regional leader in veterans justice initiatives.
For additional information about program eligibility, referral procedures, or operations, contact Nadia Mlinek, probation supervisor, at 248-625-5957 or mlinekn@oakgov.com.
Established in 2013, the program is the result of a collaborative partnership between the 51st District Court in Waterford, the 50th District Court in Pontiac, and the 52-2 District Court in Clarkston. Since its inception, the program has operated out of the 51st District Court. In September 2025, the 51st District Court paused operations of the program due to ongoing logistical issues, temporarily suspending services for participating veterans.
With the relaunch at the 52-2 District Court, the program will resume its mission of providing veterans with access to structured support services—including treatment, mentorship, case management, and intensive judicial supervision—to promote recovery, stability, and long-term well-being.
Since 2013, 107 veterans have successfully graduated from the North Oakland Veterans Treatment Court Program. Among these graduates, the program has achieved an exceptionally low 4% recidivism rate, demonstrating its strong effectiveness in reducing re-offending and supporting successful reintegration into the community.
“We are so thrilled that 52-2 is continuing this valuable program, to help our returning veterans who have faced many challenges in their post-service readjustment, such as mental and physical health problems, family stress, addiction, and more,” said Jen Thom, administrator of the 51st District Court. “We have an amazing and dedicated team that are excited to resume operations with little downtime.
We have been fortunate to receive remarkable cooperation from the State, and we continue to work collaboratively with Oakland County to ensure a smooth and effective transition.”
“When it became clear that a transition would be necessary, I felt strongly that this court, and the veterans who rely on it, could not be allowed to dissipate,” said 52-2 District Court Judge Kelley Kostin.
“My staff and I have worked diligently to establish and sustain the Veterans Treatment Court within this jurisdiction. I am grateful to the Waterford District Court, Judge Kuhn, Judge Fox, Angie Reid, and Jen Thom for their guidance and assistance throughout this endeavor. In addition, I would like to thank the Pontiac District Court—and especially Judge Walker—for the time, insight, and effort she has devoted to this cause. Although the Veterans Treatment Court will remain a collaborative initiative among all three participating courts, its physical operations will be centralized at the 52-2 District Court.”
The program’s collaborative, multidisciplinary model leverages partnerships with veteran service providers, mental health and substance use treatment agencies, community mentors, and local organizations. This coordinated approach supports veterans who may be coping with behavioral health conditions or trauma stemming from their military service.
With operations restarting, eligible veterans from participating jurisdictions will once again have access to the structured interventions and accountability measures that have made the program a regional leader in veterans justice initiatives.
For additional information about program eligibility, referral procedures, or operations, contact Nadia Mlinek, probation supervisor, at 248-625-5957 or mlinekn@oakgov.com.
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