Agenda - 09-01-2015 - 4c - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

4 • Collect and review prevalence numbers and assess individuals' needs to better identify adults entering jails with mental illnesses and their recidivism risk, and use that baseline information to guide decision making at the system, program, and case levels. • Examine treatment and service capacity to determine which programs and services are available in the county for people with mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders, and identify state and local policy and funding barriers to minimizing contact with the justice system and providing treatment and supports in the community. • Develop a plan with measurable outcomes that draws on the jail assessment and prevalence data and the examination of available treatment and service capacity,while considering identified barriers. • Implement research-based approaches that advance the plan. • Create a process to track progress using data and information systems, and to report on successes. In addition to county leaders, national and state associations, criminal justice and behavioral health professionals, state and local policymakers, others with jail authority, and individuals committed to reducing the number of people with mental illnesses in jails should sign on to the Call to Action. Stepping Up participants will receive an online toolkit keyed to the six actions,with a series of exercises and related distance-learning opportunities, peer-to-peer exchanges, and key resources from initiative partners.' The online toolkit will include self-assessment checklists and information to assist participants working in counties in identifying how much progress they have already made and a Planning template to help county teams develop data-driven strategies that are tailored to local needs. 2. A NATIONAL SUMMIT to advance county-led plans to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in jails. Supported by the American Psychiatric Foundation, a summit will be convened in the spring of 2016 in Washington, DC, that includes counties that have signed on to the Call to Action, as well as state officials and community stakeholders such as criminal justice professionals, treatment providers, people with mental illnesses and their advocates, and other subject-matter experts. The summit will help counties advance their plans and measure progress, and identify a core group of counties that are poised to lead others in their regions. Follow-up assistance will be provided to participants to help refine strategies that can be used in counties across the nation. After the 2016 summit, participants will be notified of potential opportunities for sites to be selected for more intensive assistance through federal and private grant programs. Although much of the initiative focuses on county efforts, states will be engaged at every step to ensure that their legislative mandates,policies,and resource-allocation decisions do not create barriers to plan implementation. To learn more about the initiative or to join the Call to Action,go to Ste UTogether.— Endnotes 1. Steadman,Henry,et al.,"Prevalence of Serious Mental Illness among Jail Inmates."Psgcbiatric Services 60,no.6(2009):761-765. These numbers refer to jail admissions.Even greater numbers of individuals have mental illnesses that are not"serious"mental illnesses,but still require resource-intensive responses. 2. Abram,Karen M.,and Linda A.Teplin,"Co-occurring Disorders Among Mentally 111 Jail Detainees,"American Psgcbologist 46,no.10 (1991):1036-1045. 3. Steadman,Henry,et al.,"Prevalence of Serious Mental Illness among Jail Inmates." 4. Sec,e.g.,Swanson,Jeffery,et al.,Costs of Criminal Justice Involvement in Connecticut:Final Report(Durham:Duke University School of Medicine,2011). 5. Among the key partners are the National Alliance on Mental Illness;Major County Sheriffs'Association;National Association of County Behavioral Health&Developmental Disability Directors;National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors;National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors;National Council for Behavioral Health;National Sheriffs'Association;and Policy Research Associates.