Vanessa Matthews

I am a criminal justice and behavioral health leader with a distinguished career dedicated to advancing evidence-based practices at the intersection of public safety, substance use disorder, and mental health. I have served as Director of the Treatment Court Institute, a division of Allrise (formerly known as NADCP), since July 2016, where I lead training, technical assistance, and research dissemination for treatment court programs in every U.S. state and territory. The Treatment Court Institute offers a wide range of resources for adult drug courts, juvenile treatment courts, mental health courts, family treatment courts, and tribal healing to wellness courts, and has trained more than 500,000 public safety and public health professionals. I am committed to achieving excellence by leading with research and evidence-based best practices, providing invaluable tools and expertise to help build healthier individuals, reunited families, and safer communities.

Prior to my current role, I served as a gubernatorial appointee as Chair of the Pardon and Parole Board for the State of Oklahoma for over three years, where I was one of five appointees charged with monthly hearing reviews for pardon and parole consideration. I also served as Program Coordinator and Trainer at Save the Children, US Programs, for three years, where I managed programs, built coalitions and partnerships, and coordinated emergency preparedness training for schools and communities in the aftermath of severe storms. Earlier in my career, I served as Midwest Regional Director at the National Drug Endangered Children Training and Advocacy Center for over two years and as Executive Director of the Shine Foundation for two years.

Across my career in criminal justice, behavioral health, and advocacy, my work has been driven by a commitment to evidence-based practices, collaboration across systems, and a belief in the potential for recovery and transformation. Whether I am leading training and technical assistance for treatment courts nationwide, serving on a state pardon and parole board, or coordinating emergency preparedness for children and families, I bring a strategic mindset, a collaborative approach, and a dedication to building safer, healthier communities. I am proud of the work I have done throughout my career and excited to continue advancing the mission of the Treatment Court Institute and the treatment court field.