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Mental Health Court asks for $800,000 in county funding as ARPA support ends
Summary
Judge Sheila Bruce Renfro asked the commission to amend the FY27 budget to add the Mental Health Court—a program currently supported by state grants and ARPA funds—requesting $800,000 to preserve case managers and add a coordinator and peer-recovery position.
Presiding Judge Sheila Bruce Renfro of Shelby County General Sessions Division 9 asked commissioners to include the Mental Health Court in the county budget after the program's ARPA funding ends this December.
"We are in dire straits," Judge Renfro said, urging that the two state-funded positions and ARPA-funded case managers be continued with county funds. She said the court currently relies on a state grant that supports two positions and that ARPA funds will lapse in December, making the office unable to function without new funding. The court's formal ask to the commission was $800,000.
Renfro described the four-phase structure of the program (stabilization, intensive treatment, healthy living and transition to aftercare) and said case managers provide treatment and connections to community services that help participants reintegrate. She also requested a part-time coordinator and a peer-recovery position to meet state team composition requirements.
Commissioners had no further questions at the hearing; the commission will consider formal amendments when the budget resolution is formally introduced.
