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Fulton County hears progress report on mental health court co-responder and diversion efforts
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 have increased referrals 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 Fulton County’s justice and behavioral health systems told the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20 that recent initiatives have increased the number of people diverted from jail to community-based treatment. The officials said the initiatives include a mental health court co-responder program and a recovery supports navigator, and that the efforts are supported by county mental-health funds and grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
The commissioners heard that these changes have coincided with “a notable reduction in the number of individuals incarcerated at the Bedford County Correctional Facility,” and that the county has realized measurable cost savings as a result, according to the presentation to the board. Representatives said next steps include mapping available treatment and support resources to guide training and exploring options for supported housing for people exiting the criminal-justice system.
The board did not vote on new funding during the meeting. Commissioners and the representatives discussed logistics and data-tracking needs; no specific dollar amounts for the reported cost savings were provided. The presentation credited blended funding — a mix of county mental-health resources and PCCD grants — for enabling the co-responder and navigator positions.
Services for Children Director Christine McQuade later met with commissioners about a separate personnel proposal for a Caseworker II and noted she would obtain quotes for a printer and projector; that item was recorded but no hiring decision was recorded in the public minutes. The meeting record shows the board then entered executive session for personnel matters and later adjourned.
