Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2009, $199,882)
The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) seeks to increase public safety through an innovative, cross-system, collaborative response to individuals with mental illness who come in contact with the criminal or juvenile justice systems. This program is funded through Public Law 111-8 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2009). The program is designed to increase public safety by facilitating collaboration among the criminal justice, juvenile justice, and mental health and substance abuse treatment systems to increase access to services for offenders with mental illness. Activities under this initiative will encourage early intervention for 'system-involved' individuals with mental illness; provide new and existing mental health courts with various treatment options; maximize diversion opportunities for non-violent offenders with mental illness and co-occurring disorders; promote training for justice and treatment professionals on criminal justice processed and mental health and substance abuse issues; and facilitate communication, collaboration, and the delivery of support services among justice professionals, treatment and related service providers, and governmental partners.
The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County will use the Category III Expansion Grant award to support the county's community corrections program. The goal of the program is to reduce recidivism rates among felony offenders with mental health and substance abuse disorders by expanding the intensive integrated treatment regiment of supervision and treatment services. The proposed program will provide intensive out-patient services, mental health treatment, medication management, and case management. The program will also develop supportive work environments by utilizing community resources and other programs such as vocational rehabilitation programs.
The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County's Community Corrections Program will oversee expansion activities that will include: (1) diverting mentally ill and substance abuse felony offenders from the Tennessee Prison System or local jails; (2) providing assessments and referrals for felony offenders with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders; (3) providing bi-weekly supervision and treatment services; (4) coordinating relationships with community resources and outreach centers; and (5) providing training to personnel staff related to mental health and substance abuse, supervision, and policy.
CA/NCF