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Justice, behavioral health representatives tell Fulton County commissioners diversion initiatives have reduced local jail stays
Summary
Representatives reported that a mental health court co-responder and a recovery supports navigator have increased deferrals to community-based treatment, reduced the number of people incarcerated at the Bedford County Correctional Facility and produced measurable cost savings; commissioners asked staff to map resources and explore supported housing.
FULTON COUNTY — Representatives from the justice system and behavioral health told the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20 that recent initiatives have increased deferrals to community-based treatment and reduced local jail populations.
"Recent initiatives — including the implementation of a mental health court co-responder and a recovery supports navigator, along with strengthened existing systems — have increased deferrals to community-based treatment resources," the meeting record states. The minutes report that those changes have coincided with a measurable reduction in the number of people incarcerated at the Bedford County Correctional Facility and associated cost savings for the county.
The minutes attribute the diversion work to a mix of funding sources: county mental health resources and grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The representatives told commissioners the next steps include mapping available resources to support training efforts and exploring supported housing options to help sustain community-based placements.
The minutes do not include supporting data, such as the number of diverted individuals, exact cost savings or timelines for the proposed housing work; the record says the group "has observed" reductions but does not provide quantitative evidence in these minutes. Commissioners recorded the report and discussed follow-up steps but did not make a formal policy decision during this session.
Services for Children Director Christine McQuade separately notified the board that she is considering a hire for a Caseworker II position and will obtain quotes for a printer and projector for her office.
Next steps recorded in the minutes are planning actions: mapping resources for training and exploring options for supported housing; the minutes do not set deadlines or appropriate funding allocations for those follow-ups.
