Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Enhancement

PROJECT ABSTRACT

Muskegon County, Michigan is seeking $550,000 in funding through the FY23 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (CFDA 16.745 / BJA-2023 171522).  

Muskegon County is located along Lake Michigan in mid-state West Michigan, boasts a population of 173,600 people, across 499 square land miles in 11 cities and villages and 16 townships.  Roughly 50% of the population lives within the Muskegon Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Program-specific Priority Areas (page 10 of solicitation) to be addressed include 1. Identification and treatment of females with MHDs/MHSUDS 2. validated assessment tools identifying and prioritizing individuals with moderate to high risk of recidivism and a need for treatment; 3. Increase safety for the individual, legal/corrections responders, and the community at large, 4. Demonstration of active multi-disciplinary administration of the program and 5. program will be administered to persons in custody of the Muskegon County Jail who will transition effectively to other institutions and/or re-entry to community. It is projected that a minimum 100 individuals will be served annually through this grant who are arrested and identified as having a mental health disorder or mental health and substance use disorder(s) inclusive of persons with diagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

The goals and objectives of this project will expand the JMHCP within the Muskegon County Jail, District and Circuit court(s) and align with the specific information page 7 of the solicitation which are (a) reduce criminal justice involvement by and improve outcomes for individuals with MHDs or MHSUDs who have come into contact with the CJ system or are leaving a custodial setting, (b) creating connections with entities to improve opportunities for employment, (c) utilizing specialized caseload approach for persons in custody and (d) cross-system training for corrections, criminal justice, mental health and substance abuse treatment personnel.   It is projected to serve 200 individuals annually once implementation begins. 

This grant program to be governed by the MCDC and co-administered by Muskegon County’s Sheriff’s Department and HealthWest (Muskegon County’s Community Mental Health). Letters of support attached. Project administration and implementation will be overseen by one full-time master’s level Cross-Systems Project Director, with services delivered in partnership with one full-time clinical supervisor, (8% funded by BJA), one fully-funded full-time crisis response corrections officer, two-full-time bachelor’s level Community Health Workers (one funded by BJA) and the behavioral health team members in place; master’s level clinician, jail diversion and MAT Coordinator.