BJA FY 23 Community Courts Initiative- South Salt Lake Community Court Project

The South Salt Lake Justice Court proposes to plan and implement the South Salt Lake Community Court Project (CCP) under Category 1: Planning and Implementation of the FY23 BJA Community Courts Initiative Grant Program. The purpose is to address the unique challenges and circumstances faced by the target population–individuals experiencing homelessness in South Salt Lake and who interact with the criminal justice system. The project will also build neighborhood and organizational capacity in partnership with law enforcement, the local homeless shelter, SUD treatment providers, mental and physical health providers, and other relevant community-based partners to create equitable access and to address program participants’ current conditions, root causes of their homelessness, and provide resolution to their legal troubles. The project will cover the entirety of the City of South Salt Lake and will specifically be located at 220 E. Morris Avenue, South Salt Lake, Utah. The estimated number of community court participants who will receive services with these grant funds (if awarded) over the life of the grant period is 280. The total federal amount requested for the duration of the grant is $568,862. The CCP plan includes employment of a risk-assessment tool to evaluate factors such as substance use, mental health, and housing stability. The tool will provide valuable data to identify individuals at risk and determine their specific treatment and service needs. For addressing opioid, stimulant, and other substance use or misuse reduction, the court will collaborate with healthcare providers, addiction specialists, and recovery support services to develop personalized treatment plans. This may include access to medication-assisted treatment, counseling, detoxification programs, harm reduction strategies, and ongoing recovery support services. By using the risk assessment data to tailor interventions, CCP can effectively help individuals to connect with treatment or programs that address substance use disorders and support their path to recovery and stability while working to resolve their legal issues.