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 $3,150,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to provide Category 1 Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) to existing and new Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) grantees and the field. Our goal will be to position grantees to foster cross-systems collaborations to achieve better outcomes for people with mental health (MH) disorders and/or substance use disorders (MHDs/MHSUDs) while creating new fieldwide resources and revamping existing publications to better fit the current needs in the field such as incorporating the voices of people with lived experience and people of color.  

CSGJC’s will provide TTA to JMHCP grantees that is designed to ensure that they implement a system-wide, coordinated approach with accurate screening and assessment procedures, evidence-based practices (EBPs) that improve health outcomes and recidivism rates, 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 criminal justice (CJ) and MH collaboration. 

Building on our success as the lead TTA provider for BJA’s JMHCP since 2006, CSGJC’s TTA approach will include: delivering TTA that is aligned with EBPs to improve outcomes for the target populations; a TTA 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: 

Position JMHCP grantees to facilitate cross-system collaboration and increase access to MH treatment, recovery supports, and needed services for individuals with MHDs or MHSUDs. 

Provide direct assistance and develop resources for the field to establish or enhance CJ-MH collaboration. 

As a TTA provider for JMHCP and other federal grantees, such as the Second Chance Act, we have deep experience in helping systems to improve outcomes for people with MHDs and MHSUDs. To supplement our expertise, we will continue partnerships under Year 1 of the award and forge a new partnership with the American Jail Association.

The Council of State Governments Justice Center (CSGJC) will provide Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) to Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) grantees and the field. The goal will be to position grantees and the field to foster cross-systems collaborations to achieve better outcomes for people with mental health (MH) disorders and/or substance use disorders (MHDs/MHSUDs) through TTA, distance learning, and resource development.  

CSGJC’s will provide TTA to JMHCP grantees that is designed to ensure that they implement a system-wide, coordinated approach with accurate screening and assessment procedures, evidence-based practices (EBPs) that improve health outcomes and recidivism rates, effective data-collection and program evaluation, and the development of sustainability plans. With their partners, they will work with jails, prosecutors, public defense, courts, and community-based services and supervision to educate and facilitate grantee goals and objectives toward improving criminal justice (CJ) and MH collaboration to improve health and safety outcomes.

Building on their success as the lead TTA provider for BJA’s JMHCP since 2006, CSGJC’s TTA approach will include: TTA aligned with EBPs to improve outcomes for the target populations; a TTA Coach for each site to support grantees; Planning & Implementation Guides to support grantees in systematic planning; tailored TTA assistance to help the grantees address their needs and meet their goals through the development of individualized TTA Plans; peer-to-peer learning opportunities; drawing on outside experts to enhance TTA; and development of resources and tools to support grantees reaching their goals.

They will also support the field through targeted initiatives, such as: the Stepping Up initiative; peer learning sites across the Sequential Intercept Model; training for prosecutors; TTA to advance court-based strategies; state policy strategies on competency to stand trial, crisis response, and achieving payment parity; and strategies to identify and address diverse needs and workforce challenges and promote thriving communities.

CSGJC will focus on the following objectives: position JMHCP grantees to facilitate cross-system collaboration and increase access to MH treatment, recovery supports, and needed services for individuals with MHDs or MHSUDs; provide technical assistance and develop resources for the field to establish or enhance CJ-MH collaboration; and work proactively and collaboratively with BJA to ensure that activities and products continually meet the needs of the field.

To supplement their expertise, CSGJC will continue partnerships under Years 1 and 2 of this award.