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County officials report jail-diversion gains from mental-health court co-responder and recovery navigator
Summary
Representatives from justice and behavioral health told Fulton County commissioners that a mental-health court co-responder and a recovery supports navigator have increased deferrals to community-based treatment, reduced local jailings at Bedford County Correctional Facility and produced measurable cost savings; next steps include resource mapping and exploring supported housing.
Representatives from the justice system and behavioral health reported to the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20 that recent collaboration — including the addition of a mental-health court co-responder and a recovery supports navigator — has increased deferrals to community-based treatment and reduced the number of individuals incarcerated at the Bedford County Correctional Facility.
Those present said the initiatives are funded through blended county mental health resources and grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, and that the reduced incarceration levels have produced measurable cost savings for the county. Committee members and behavioral health partners identified next steps as mapping available resources to support staff training and exploring supported housing options for people exiting the justice system.
Commissioners welcomed the update and recorded the matter for follow-up; no formal vote or ordinance was taken. The minutes note that the county will continue to coordinate with justice and behavioral health partners to identify training needs and housing options that could sustain diversion from incarceration.
The presenters did not specify the exact dollar amount of the cost savings in the meeting minutes, and the minutes state that the initiatives have been observed "over recent months." Commissioners listed the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency as a grant source supporting the effort.
