CSGJC providing training and technical assistance to JMHCP grantees to facilitate cross-system collaboration to increase access to mental health treatment, recovery supports, and needed services

The Council of State Governments Justice Center (CSGJC) seeks $2,300,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to provide Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) to FY2022 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) grantees and other federal grantees. Our goals will be to position grantees to: 1) increase cross-system collaboration between the mental health (MH) and criminal justice systems, and substance use treatment services; and 2) improve their joint responses to people with mental health disorders (MHDs) and co-occurring substance use disorders (MHSUDs). This will result in improved access to treatment and other necessary services as well as increased diversion of people with MHDs from the justice system.

CSGJC’s TTA will be designed to ensure that grantees implement a system-wide, coordinated approach with accurate screening and assessment procedures, evidence-based practices (EBPs) to promote recovery and reduce recidivism, effective data-collection and program evaluation, and the development of sustainability plans. With our partners, we will work with jails, prosecutors, public defense, courts, and community-based services and supervision, such as parole and probation, to educate and facilitate grantee goals and objectives toward improving and enhancing justice and MH collaboration.

Building on our success as BJA’s JMHCP TTA provider since 2006, CSGJC’s TTA approach will include: delivering TTA that is aligned with EBPs to improve outcomes for the target populations; a TA Coach for each site to support grantees; using Planning & Implementation Guides to support grantees in systematic planning; tailoring assistance to the specific needs of the grant categories and cohorts of grantees (e.g., programs serving women, tribal nations) through the development of individualized TTA Plans; offering peer-to-peer learning opportunities; drawing on outside experts to enhance TTA; and development of resources and tools to support grantees reaching their goals.

CSGJC will focus on the following objectives:

Provide direct assistance to all JMHCP grantees and develop resources for the field to improve or enhance justice and mental health collaboration.
Provide individualized, consistent, and efficient TTA to help grantees meet their grant objectives and achieve a sustainable program.
Assist grantees to develop a uniform program evaluation and routinely engage and support grantees on evaluation to ensure accurate data collection, collaboration with evaluators, and evaluation quality.