Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program

The mission of the Kentucky Justice & Public Safety Cabinet (JPSC) is to ensure the safety and security of Kentucky communities. The purpose of the Kentucky JPSC crisis intervention program will be to improve public safety and reduce firearm violence in the community by enhancing court-based, strengthening mental health services, and creating opportunities for additional services for individuals affected by firearm violence. The Kentucky JPSC anticipates implementing Byrne SCIP funding in three areas of emphasis: specialized court-based programs such as mental health and veterans treatment courts, behavioral health deflection for those at risk to themselves or others, and evaluation of the effectiveness of the crisis intervention program in preventing firearm violence. This strategy will be implemented in close collaboration with a diverse Crisis Intervention Advisory Board to be established by the Secretary of the Kentucky JPSC in coordination with the Governor’s Office of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This Board will be comprised of representatives from law enforcement, prosecution, courts, victim services, behavioral health providers, legal counsel, and the community. The Board will inform and guide all crisis intervention and gun violence reduction programs and initiatives supported by Byrne SCIP funds in Kentucky. In collaboration with the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts, the Kentucky JPSC crisis intervention program will support state and local collaborative, multi-disciplinary based approaches to crisis intervention strategies for the mental health and veteran’s treatment courts. Additionally, the Kentucky JPSC will pass through Byrne SCIP funds to eligible local units of government to support crisis intervention services and firearm violence reduction initiations. Furthermore, the Kentucky Criminal Justice Statistical Analysis Center (CJSAC) will evaluate the effectiveness of the crisis intervention programs supported by Byrne SCIP funds.