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Justice, behavioral-health representatives tell Fulton County commissioners diversion efforts have reduced local jailings
Summary
On Jan. 20, 2026, representatives from the justice system and behavioral health told Fulton County commissioners that initiatives including a mental health court co-responder and a recovery supports navigator have increased referrals to community treatment and reduced incarcerations, producing measurable cost savings; next steps include mapping training resources and exploring supported housing.
Representatives from the justice system and behavioral health told the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20, 2026, that new diversion efforts have increased deferrals to community-based treatment and reduced the number of people incarcerated at the Bedford County Correctional Facility, producing measurable cost savings for the county.
The update, delivered during the commissioners' regular meeting, described two recent initiatives: a mental health court co-responder assigned to coordinate crisis responses with law enforcement and a recovery supports navigator who helps connect people to community services. Officials said these efforts are supported by blended funding from County Mental Health resources and grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
County representatives reported that, over recent months, the combination of the co-responder model and navigation services has led to more cases being diverted away from incarceration and into treatment. The presenters attributed a ‘‘notable reduction’’ in jail population at the Bedford County Correctional Facility to these changes and said the trend has generated measurable cost savings for county operations. The presentation did not include specific inmate-count figures or a dollar amount for the savings; those were not specified in the meeting record.
Commissioners and the attendees discussed next steps, including mapping available community resources to support staff training and exploring options for supported housing to improve long-term outcomes for people exiting crisis systems. The county said it will continue coordinating the mix of county mental-health funds with grant support as the programs expand.
No formal vote or ordinance resulted from the discussion. The commissioners recorded the update for ongoing interagency coordination and later entered executive session for personnel matters before adjourning at 1:36 p.m.
