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Fulton County officials point to fewer jail stays after court–behavioral health partnership
Summary
Representatives told Fulton County commissioners that a new mental health court co-responder and a recovery supports navigator have increased deferrals to community treatment and coincided with fewer incarcerations at the Bedford County Correctional Facility; officials said they will map resources and explore supported housing.
Representatives from the justice system and behavioral health told the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20 that a recent collaboration between the courts and mental health services has increased deferrals to community-based treatment and reduced local jail stays.
The representatives described two recent initiatives — a mental health court co-responder and a recovery supports navigator — funded through a mix of County Mental Health funds and grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. County officials said those efforts have strengthened existing systems and produced measurable reductions in the number of individuals incarcerated at the Bedford County Correctional Facility, which the group said has generated cost savings for the county.
Why it matters: Commissioners heard that diverting eligible people from incarceration into community-based care can lower detention costs and improve access to services. As next steps, the group proposed mapping available resources to support staff training and exploring supported housing options to stabilize people exiting criminal-justice supervision.
Commissioner Randy H. Bunch and Commissioner Hervey P. Hann participated in the discussion with the representatives. The group did not present a formal vote or ordinance; officials identified funding sources as county mental-health resources plus state grant support. No specific supported-housing program or funding amount was finalized during the meeting.
The commissioners did not take a formal vote on program expansion during the open meeting; officials recorded the proposal to map resources and continue planning. The board subsequently entered executive session for personnel matters later in the day.
