Representatives tell Fulton County commissioners mental-health court co-responder, navigator increased community treatment and reduced jailings

At their Jan. 20 meeting, Fulton County Commissioners Randy H. Bunch, Hervey P. Hann and Steven L. Wible heard from representatives of the justice system and behavioral-health providers that recent initiatives are increasing referrals to community-based treatment and reducing local jailings.

The representatives described two recently implemented efforts — a mental health court co-responder and a recovery supports navigator — and said those programs, supported by blended funding from county mental-health resources and grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, have increased deferrals to treatment rather than incarceration. The presenters reported ‘‘a notable reduction’’ in the number of people incarcerated at the Bedford County Correctional Facility and said that change produced measurable cost savings for the county.

County officials and the presenters outlined next steps focused on sustaining and expanding the work. Those steps include mapping available community resources to support additional training for responders, and exploring supported housing options for people leaving correctional custody who need stable housing to maintain treatment. No formal vote or funding authorization for new programs was recorded during the meeting.

The report was delivered as part of routine updates; chief clerk records show separate minutes for related committee meetings. Commissioners did not announce specific new hires or contract awards in response to the presentation. The record shows the board will continue coordination between justice, behavioral-health providers and county staff to implement the items the presenters identified.