Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Behavioral Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners hear update on court–behavioral health collaboration that officials say reduced jail population
Summary
Representatives from the justice system and behavioral health told Fulton County commissioners that a mental health court co-responder and a recovery supports navigator, funded through county mental health resources and Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency grants, have increased deferrals to treatment and reduced incarcerations at the Bedford County Correctional Facility.
Representatives from the justice system and behavioral health told the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20 that a mental health court co-responder program and a recovery supports navigator have increased deferrals to community-based treatment and contributed to a measurable reduction in the number of people incarcerated at the Bedford County Correctional Facility, producing cost savings for the county.
The representatives said those efforts are supported through blended funding from County Mental Health resources and grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. They credited the co-responder and navigator positions with strengthening existing systems and helping divert people with behavioral health needs away from jail and into treatment options.
County officials and the group discussed next steps focused on mapping available local resources to support training for staff and partners and exploring supported housing options to assist people leaving treatment or court diversion programs. No formal policy or funding vote was recorded during the discussion.
The board held executive sessions later in the day for personnel matters and adjourned at 1:36 p.m.
