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Fulton County officials outline mental-health court co-responder, recovery supports navigator and next steps
Summary
County officials and justice- and behavioral-health representatives reported that a new co-responder model and a recovery supports navigator have increased deferrals to community treatment and, they said, reduced local jail populations; next steps include resource mapping and exploring supported housing.
Representatives from the justice system and behavioral-health providers updated the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20 on recent efforts to divert people with behavioral-health needs away from incarceration and into community treatment.
According to presenters, the county implemented a mental health court co-responder and a recovery supports navigator, which officials said has led to increased deferrals to community-based treatment resources and a measurable reduction in the number of individuals incarcerated at the Bedford County Correctional Facility. Presenters said those changes were supported with blended funding from County Mental Health resources and grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
County officials identified immediate next steps: mapping available resources to support staff training and exploring supported housing options for participants in diversion programs. Commissioners were told these actions aim to strengthen post-release supports and reduce future jail admissions.
No formal votes on program policy or funding changes were recorded during the discussion. The board recorded the update for follow-up; presenters and county staff noted they would return with more detailed resource maps and any recommended budget or operational changes.
