ADVICE for MH/BH Boards & Commissions Reviewing Mental Health Programs in COUNTY JAILS
SPEAKERS: Invite the following speakers to address Mental Health services/programs, "warm hand-offs" and access to Mental Health services in preparation and upon release: Jail Warden/staff, BH Director/staff, related Contractors/staff, Probation Director/staff.
BOARD LIAISON - Ask one of your local board/commission members to attend the local Community Corrections Partnership (AB 109) Committee meetings and report back to your local board/commission.
SB 389 (Hertzberg)Amends the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to clarify that MHSA funds can be used for services for individuals who are participating in a pre-sentencing or post-sentencing diversion program or community supervision, most notably parole - in short it repeals the parolee MHSA exclusion.
Jail Closed in Miami-Dade County, Saving Taxpayers $12 Million per year: In 2000, Florida’s 11th Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County established a program that diverts people who have serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders, but who don’t pose a threat to public safety, into community-based care instead of jail. As a result of the program, the county has been able to close an entire jail, saving taxpayers $12 million per year. The recidivism rate has dropped from 75 to 20 percent. Miami Herald, 2016
Health Care Revamp at The L.A. County Jails, California Healthline, 2018 The effort, overseen by the county's health services department, aims to imrove care for a population with high rates of chronic disease, mental illness and drug addiction.
Napa County breaks ground on $17 Million Correctional Re-Entry facility - "There will be classrooms and program space available to meet the needs for mental health counseling, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, and job training and employment services, among others, that help offenders become self-sufficient productive members of society once they’re released."
