The Supreme Court of Ohio facilitated an information-packed day to connect courts with innovative veteran services during the 11th annual 2025 Lean Forward Veterans Summit. Each year, Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy and Retired Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton convene the summit, part of the broader Lean Forward initiative seeking to advance treatment for justice-involved veterans in Ohio. 

“When I began doing this with Justice Stratton, there were seven certified veterans treatment courts across Ohio, and today we have 28,” said Chief Justice Kennedy. “I am thrilled that our efforts across Ohio have yielded caring individuals, judges, and team leaders who will help our veterans who are involved in the justice system find a pathway home.”

As Ohio is a leader in the nation for evidence-based specialized dockets, this year’s Summit focused on veterans’ specialized dockets and support services. Panelists examined innovative pathways to healing – programs supporting veterans, civil legal services, and empowering veterans through employment. The sessions also identified community resources for veterans and military families.

Watch here: 2025 Lean Forward Veterans Summit Welcome

Emerging Trends in Veterans Specialized Dockets: Insights from the Field
A panel of court representatives, including judges, staff, and a veterans treatment docket graduate, led the first session of the day, providing insight from their own experiences. They discussed best practices for veterans specialized dockets and the advice they have for success.

Watch here: 2025 Lean Forward Veterans Summit Emerging Trends

Innovative Pathways to Healing: Programs Supporting Veterans
For veterans facing mental health crises, it can be a matter of life and death. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reported in 2024 that 17 veterans die by suicide each day. Connecting those veterans to services that can intervene and help them to find new purposes in life can be crucial. A variety of organizations are here to help.

Watch here: 2025 Lean Forward Veterans Summit Innovative Pathways
Go In Depth: Veterans Discover Pathways to Healing

Civil Legal Services Supporting Veterans’ Stability
Representatives from Legal Aid and Ohio Legal Help shared the resources they provide to veterans facing hard times. Anna Lynch, an attorney for Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio, shared that many of the top unmet needs for homeless veterans are civil legal needs. The organization offers a range of legal services to eligible veterans, from advice to brief service to full case representation. There are also many online tools, such as Ohio Legal Help, available to the public that can connect veterans to the legal resources they are seeking.

Watch here: 2025 Lean Forward Veterans Summit Civil Legal Services

Connecting Veterans to Vital Support: Relink Ohio’s Resource Network
An additional service available to Ohioans is Relink Ohio, a free and anonymous online platform that connects people in need with local community resources. That includes resources for addiction recovery, reentry, behavioral health, basic needs, and more.

Watch here: 2025 Lean Forward Veterans Summit Connecting Veterans

Empowering Veterans Through Employment: Ohio Means Jobs
For veterans reintegrating into civilian life, Ohio Means Jobs makes finding a new career less challenging by providing tools to help with job searches. Veterans also receive priority for certain services, including access to training and certification programs that can help launch their careers. Veterans can visit the Ohio Means Jobs Center in any of Ohio’s 88 counties to fill out the Veteran Questionnaire or do so online. Those who meet the eligibility requirements can receive help and advocacy in securing a job.

Watch here: 2025 Lean Forward Veterans Summit Empowering Veterans

The next Lean Forward Veterans Summit will take place on Nov. 19, 2026.