FY23 North Las Vegas Municipal Court Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program

North Las Vegas is a diverse suburb in Clark County, Nevada. It has the highest percentage of Black (22.1%) and Hispanic/Latinx (42.0%) residents in southern Nevada and is referred to as a “majority-minority.” Approximately 15% of residents are uninsured. The City of North Las Vegas (the City) has seen an increasing number of individuals within its court system with mental health disorders (MHDs) or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUDs) who are evaluated as incompetent to stand trial, released without a connection to services, and rearrested. Common diagnoses include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In 2021, the City’s Municipal Court (NLVMC), launched its Community Approach to Rehabilitation and Engagement (CARE) program to provide case management, treatment, and social supports as an alternative to traditional sentencing. While successful, CARE inherently excludes certain individuals who face disparities in accessing services: those who are uninsured and/or without housing and who are racial/ethnic minorities.

The City, in partnership with Seven Hills Hospital (SHH), proposes the NLVMC Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program to expand and enhance existing CARE services to serve these at-risk populations. This project will improve access to behavioral health services and reduce recidivism. It will also promote racial equity and other program priorities, including expanding mental health court services, treating females, and using a validated recidivism risk assessment.

The project will include a planning phase in year 1 and implementation phase in years 2-3, serving a total of 32 participants (12 in year 2, 20 in year 3). This project will achieve three primary objectives: 1) build a new justice and mental health collaboration program; 2) expand capacity to identify, treat, and support individuals’ recovery; and 3) increase access to wraparound support services. To accomplish this, NLVMC will enroll eligible participants in the CARE mental health track, a 12-18-month program. Participants will receive access to mental health evaluations, behavioral health treatment, case plan development/management, and stable housing. Staff will also develop and implement new assessment tools to identify and mitigate disparities and barriers faced by Black and Hispanic/Latinx individuals. All project activities will occur in Clark County. The City requests $ 549,144.00 in federal support to fund staff training, behavioral health treatment, and 12 months of housing for 32 participants. Overall, the project will provide these individuals with the treatment and supports they need to live healthy, sober, and crime-free lives.