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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: January 21, 2016 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 7-c <br /> SUBJECT: Creation of a Criminal Case Assessment Specialist Position <br /> DEPARTMENT: County Manager's Office PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): None INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager <br /> 919-245-2308 <br /> Caitlin Fenhagen, Criminal Justice <br /> Resource Manager, 919-245-2303 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve the creation of a new 1.0 full time equivalent (FTE) position titled <br /> Criminal Case Assessment Specialist to conduct mental health and substance abuse <br /> assessments and treatment coordination for individuals in the jail and those who are <br /> participating in jail alternative programming. <br /> BACKGROUND: In October 2015, the County appointed its first Criminal Justice Resource <br /> Manager to manage and coordinate jail alternative programming. The vision for the new <br /> Manager was to internalize jail alternative programming that had previously been contracted out <br /> and to broaden opportunities for jail diversion and interventions intended to reduce recidivism. <br /> The new office has recently completed its initial charge of internalizing the Pretrial and Drug <br /> Court programs through the recruitment of two new County employees to administer those <br /> programs. <br /> The Criminal Justice Resource Manager has also conducted a needs assessment for future <br /> programming. This research relied on best practices in other jurisdictions as well as interviews <br /> with partners in the Orange County criminal justice system. The assessment revealed a need to <br /> supplement and enhance assessment and treatment services for individuals in the system that <br /> are experiencing mental health and substance abuse issues. This need is consistent with a <br /> policy goal of the Board of County Commissioners as codified in a Resolution Supporting <br /> "Stepping Up Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails which was <br /> adopted in September 2015. Through that Resolution, the Board signed on to a call to action to <br /> reduce the number of people with mental illness in county jails and to share lessons learned <br /> with other counties in North Carolina. <br /> One of the strategies identified to satisfy the need for enhanced mental health and substance <br /> abuse services in the criminal justice system is to create a position responsible for providing <br /> these services. In an effort to promote pretrial release, the position would conduct evaluations, <br /> assessments, and referrals for treatment for individuals awaiting trial or disposition of criminal <br /> charges. These additional services would provide greater assurance to the judiciary that <br /> individuals can safely remain in or return to the community while accessing necessary treatment <br />