Hillsdale County has restarted a program to counsel veterans who have committed crimes, following a funding lapse from the state. 

The veterans probation track, which is led by Army veteran and occupational therapist Don Michael, helps connect veterans and find benefits, including healthcare and disability compensation. The program also offers the Veteran Justice Coordination Group, which meets to ensure positive, social contact for the veterans on probation, according to District Judge Megan Stiverson. 

“The veterans’ individual counseling is going to look a little bit different than the individual counseling for the general population, because Major Michael is going to make connections through the Veterans Administration,” Stiverson said. “He’s helping them organize meaningful community service that actually gets them involved with other veterans in the community.” 

According to Michael, over 90% of veterans who return home are able to readjust to regular life, but a hidden 5-8% struggle when returning to civilian life, facing struggles such as substance abuse, PTSD diagnoses, and anger management issues. 

“The problem is that when you’re trying to transplant yourself rapidly from a military mindset, which sometimes brings people into combat situations, where they’ve seen death and they’ve seen trauma, and then they come back into the civilian sector where over 99% of Americans have never worn a uniform, that causes a lot of shock to some of the veterans,” Michael said.

The program originally received funding from the Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners in 2023 after Stiverson proposed the idea, but lost funding due to statewide budget cuts in 2025. After seven and a half months of being shut down, the program was refunded by the Hillsdale County Veterans Board  and restarted in March of this year, according to Stiverson.

“When I first took the bench, I had envisioned that probation could be more effectively managed in Hillsdale County, considering we have pretty sparse resources, by tracking off probation,” Stiverson said. “Our veterans, specifically who were dealing with PTSD and other diagnoses directly because of their service, were having a difficult time making it through a generalized probation program.”

Those behind Hillsdale’s veteran probation track received an award at the Michigan Military and Veterans Gala for their innovation in tracking off probation specifically for veterans, according to Stiverson.

“From my research, I am currently the only veteran track probation officer of any district court in the state of Michigan,” Michael said. “Being a retired Army officer occupational therapist, I have treated many soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. Blast injuries, burns, amputation, traumatic brain injuries, a lot of PTSD issues.”

Veterans experience a major disconnect after returning from service according to Michael. Today, about 6% of Americans have served in the military, according to the Pew Research Center. 

“They are finding that they are reconnecting at these meetings with their military ethos,” Michael said. “They are able to share stories that they don’t normally share with the normal populace.”

Michael also connects his veteran probationers with Hillsdale County Veterans Affairs Director Renae Shircliff, who helps them get veterans benefits.

“We can help them apply for disability compensation if they were injured or apply for health benefits. Veterans’ widows are able to apply as well. We also can get them connected with the Michigan Veterans Association,” Shircliff said. “I think they just don’t understand what’s out there.”

For Stiverson, community safety is first and foremost, and because of the success this program has seen so far, it’s helping to make the community safer.

“I’m going to be far more likely to get success with an individual that’s had services for 12 months, instead of spending 93 days in jail and then getting out with the same problems they had, going right back out and doing the same thing,” Stiverson said.

Stiverson knew she wanted to do something to help veterans even before she ran for District Judge. 

“I want it to be meaningful for them. Otherwise, we’re just going to see people back.” Stiverson said.

After serving as an Army officer for 28 years, Michael worked as an occupational therapist until he was diagnosed with cancer in 2019. He also serves as a Catholic deacon and was previously a chaplain at the county jail. Now, he is pursuing his Clinical MSW degree from University of Michigan while working as Hillsdale’s veteran probation track officer.

“As much as I wanted to set aside my veteran status in so many ways, I just couldn’t do that. These individuals are very important to me. I was given a second chance for a purpose. I think this is my purpose, and I’m grateful for it,” Michael said.

The program has graduated 42 veterans, with only two reoffenders, according to Judge Stiverson. 

“Two out of 42, that is a really good recidivism rate compared to what I have for other general probation tracks,” Stiverson said.