The Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals (WATCP) held their 2024 State Conference on April 24-26 at the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells.  WATCP presented the Hero Award to Ho-Chunk Nation Wellness Court Project Coordinator Robert Mann.

     The WATCP Hero Award spotlights an individual demonstrating exemplary service to a Wisconsin Problem Solving Court because WATCP recognizes that it takes many professionals to sustain the good work of treatment courts across Wisconsin.

     “I couldn’t think of anyone better to receive an award like this,” said Ho-Chunk Nation Associate Judge Michelle Greendeer-Rave in a video providing her background work with Mr. Mann and the Healing to Wellness Court.

     Hon. Michelle Greendeer-Rave started in July 2023 as a judge and began with a participant hearing at the Healing to Wellness Court.  That was a termination hearing and Mr. Mann was worried about the participant and how this hearing would affect the participant’s life.  Hon. Greendeer-Rave mentioned that Mr. Mann wasn’t like other employees.

     Later, Mr. Mann was a trainer and speaker at the Oneida Indian Reservation.  He helped other tribes with their Healing to Wellness Court path.

     “I was working with someone phenomenal,” explained Michelle Greendeer-Rave in the video. 

     Robert Mann then went on to be a presenter at a national training seminar in California.

     The first state Healing to Wellness Court conference that Michelle Greendeer-Rave attended, Mr. Mann was presenting the Cultural Educational Information portion to the seminar.

     Hon. Greendeer-Rave concluded in the video, “I’ve seen Mr. Mann work endlessly and selflessly, not so much for the semantics of a program but for our participants themselves. He has gone above and beyond at every juncture.  He’s also helped other tribes.  He takes their calls all hours of the day, on weekends as well, so that they can create a court that helps people with the issues versus incarceration.  At this time, the Ho-Chunk Nation would like to congratulate Mr. Mann on this very prestigious award.  Congratulations, Mr. Mann, we all so very proud of you!”

     WATCP is an organization representing the interests of treatment courts in the State of Wisconsin and the membership includes judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, court administrators, treatment providers, probation and community correction officer, social service caseworkers, and other stakeholders in the field of treatment courts.