Albany County committee approves multiple grant reallocations to expand reentry, diversion and mental‑health court services

Albany County’s Health Committee approved a package of budget amendments and grant reallocations designed to expand reentry services, diversion supports and mental‑health court navigation. Committee members approved each motion by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Officials described a set of four related grant items. First, the Department of Mental Health requested a budget amendment under the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program to move funds into a health‑care manager line; staff said this is a three‑year grant and that the new position will work with county probation to support people leaving the correctional facility. The department identified the county’s goal as recreating a prior reentry project for state‑prison releases and adapting it to the local jail population; staff said the county has over 250 people on its jail mental‑health tier and that the health‑care manager would help link people to community services after release.

Second, the committee approved a reallocation tied to the county’s reentry task force renewal. Meeting materials showed a $411,230 grant renewal; department staff asked to move $23,000 within that grant from printing/advertising/travel to a fees‑for‑service line and clothing allowance to meet immediate reentry needs—identification, cell‑phone assistance and short‑term housing supports were cited as examples.

Third, the committee approved a budget amendment described in the meeting as a diversion‑linked grant reallocation to fund mental‑health assistant positions that will work in the jail to prepare people for discharge and connect them with services in the community. Department staff characterized this as a complementary piece to the health‑care‑manager position and said the assistants will be present in the jail to facilitate discharge planning.

Finally, the county accepted $222,142 in state aid from the New York State Office for Mental Health to add two case managers to the county’s mental‑health court team. County staff said the mental‑health court (also referenced internally as an alternative treatment court) launched about 18–24 months ago. At the time of the meeting the court had 21 active cases and 12 graduates; staff told the committee the new hires should allow the program to grow toward roughly 40 active high‑intensity cases, with typical program terms lasting nine to 12 months. Staff also said the district attorney must approve admissions to mental‑health court and that the court focuses on nonviolent, lower‑level offenses (some low‑level nonviolent felonies have been admitted where appropriate).

Committee members asked how sustainability will be addressed after grant periods end; department staff said sustainability typically depends on a mix of subsequent grants, county funding decisions and leveraging program results to secure future resources. Staff also noted that second and third years of some grants anticipate adding additional staff subject to future committee approvals.

All four motions were moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; no committee member recorded opposition. Department staff said they will return with staffing and budget details as positions are filled and as required by county reporting procedures.