The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) supports innovative cross-system collaboration for individuals with mental illnesses or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders who come into contact with the justice system. BJA is seeking applications that demonstrate a collaborative project between criminal justice and mental health partners from eligible applicants to plan, implement, or expand a justice and mental health collaboration program. This program is authorized by the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act of 2004 (MIOTCRA) (Public Law 108-414), and the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-416), as amended by the 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114-255), 34 USC 10651; Additional authority is provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, Pub. L. No. 116-93, 133 Stat 2317, 2409.
Transition to 988
Available nationally as of July 2022, the universal telephone number 988 has been designated within the United States for the purpose of the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system operating through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Learn more:
Taking the Call
On May 20, 2021, a launch event was held for Taking the Call: A National Conference Exploring Innovative Community Responder Models. Learn more about the following events:
- May 20, 2021: launch event
- October 20-21, 2021: virtual conference
Program-Specific Information
JMHCP seeks to increase public safety by facilitating collaboration among the criminal justice and mental health and substance abuse treatment systems to increase access to mental health and other treatment services for individuals with mental illnesses or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. The program encourages early intervention for these multisystem-involved individuals; maximizes diversion opportunities for multisystem-involved individuals with mental illnesses or co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders; promotes training for justice and treatment professionals; and facilitates communication, collaboration, and the delivery of support services among justice professionals, treatment and related service providers, and governmental partners.
Allowable Uses for Grant Funds
JMHCP offers grants to help entities prepare comprehensive plans to implement collaboration programs that target qualified offenders and promote public safety and public health. Specifically, per the authorizing statute, grants awarded under this program shall be used to create or expand:
- Programs that support cooperative efforts by public safety officials and service providers (at any point in the system) to connect individuals with MI or CMISA with treatment and social services
- Mental health courts or other court-based programs
- Programs that offer specialized training for public safety officials and mental health providers in order to respond appropriately to individuals with MI or CMISA
- Programs that support intergovernmental cooperation between state and local governments to address enhanced support to individuals with MI or CMISA
Visit the main JMHCP website to learn more about the program, how to get support, and to access resources.