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Fulton County officials report diversion efforts, say jail population tied to mental-health programs has declined
Summary
Representatives from the county—riminal-justice and behavioral-health sectors told commissioners the addition of a mental health court co-responder and a recovery supports navigator has increased deferrals to community treatment, coinciding with a drop in people held at the Bedford County Correctional Facility and measurable county cost savings.
Representatives from Fulton County criminal-justice and behavioral-health providers told the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20 that recent programs have increased deferrals to community-based treatment and coincided with fewer people incarcerated at the Bedford County Correctional Facility, producing measurable cost savings for the county, the group said.
The group described two recent initiatives: a mental health court co-responder program and a recovery supports navigator. Officials said those programs, combined with strengthened referral systems, have shifted more people toward community treatment rather than incarceration. The representatives said the programs are funded through a mix of County Mental Health resources and grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
According to the presenters, the changes have been visible in recent months as a ‘‘notable reduction’’ in the number of individuals held at Bedford County Correctional Facility; the board did not present numerical trend data in open session. County officials recommended next steps: mapping available community resources to support staff training and exploring supported housing options for people leaving diversion programs.
Commissioners did not take formal votes tied to the presentation during open session. The discussion concluded with directions to continue coordination between court partners and behavioral-health providers and to pursue resource-mapping and housing options as follow-up items.
