Justice Stratton, sheriff outline 'Stepping Up' plans to connect inmates to mental‑health care

Justice Peg Stratton and Mahoning County officials on March 5 described steps to reduce the number of people with serious mental illness cycling through the county jail, underscoring local participation in Ohio’s Stepping Up initiative.

"Mahoning is one of my favorite counties to work with because you are all so inspired and so excited about the visit," Justice Stratton said, outlining Stepping Up’s statewide outreach and the program’s focus on coordinated, co‑presented services from behavioral‑health agencies, courts and local partners. She said Ohio now has 66 counties participating in the effort and that the Stepping Up team will visit Mahoning County on March 12.

Sheriff Green said the jail has expanded its onsite mental‑health staffing from a single clinician to three full‑time professionals and described a navigator role developed through sequential mapping to identify the highest‑need inmates and coordinate care with the courts. "We’ve gone from one mental‑health individual, one counselor and one psychiatrist that had come in once a week to now we have three full‑time professionals within our building," the sheriff said, adding that a navigator would track inmates’ progress and communicate with judges and probation officers.

Officials acknowledged constraints outside county control — limited state hospital bed capacity and a stretched behavioral‑health system — but said the navigator, improved discharge medication practices and partnerships with the mental‑health board and community providers aim to reduce recidivism and improve continuity of care. The sheriff said the jail already ensures inmates leave with prescribed medication and is working to extend support after release.

The board also discussed employee wellness: county leaders said they are implementing annual, confidential mental‑health checkups for employees and using a newly opened Smith wellness center to reduce stigma and provide covered treatment options.

The Stepping Up presentations drew general support from commissioners, who thanked Justice Stratton and local officials and encouraged broad participation in the March 12 meeting. No formal policy change or new county ordinance was adopted at the session; Justice Stratton and local officials urged continued collaboration and attendance at upcoming events.