Minutes 01-21-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

22 Travis Myren and Caitlin Fenhagen, Orange County Criminal Justice Resource Manager, reviewed the following information: BACKGROUND: In October 2015, the County appointed its first Criminal Justice Resource Manager to manage and coordinate jail alternative programming. The vision for the new Manager was to internalize jail alternative programming that had previously been contracted out and to broaden opportunities for jail diversion and interventions intended to reduce recidivism. The new office has recently completed its initial charge of internalizing the Pretrial and Drug Court programs through the recruitment of two new County employees to administer those programs. The Criminal Justice Resource Manager has also conducted a needs assessment for future programming. This research relied on best practices in other jurisdictions as well as interviews with partners in the Orange County criminal justice system. The assessment revealed a need to supplement and enhance assessment and treatment services for individuals in the system that are experiencing mental health and substance abuse issues. This need is consistent with a policy goal of the Board of County Commissioners as codified in a Resolution Supporting "Stepping Up Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails" which was adopted in September 2015. Through that Resolution, the Board signed on to a call to action to reduce the number of people with mental illness in county jails and to share lessons learned with other counties in North Carolina. One of the strategies identified to satisfy the need for enhanced mental health and substance abuse services in the criminal justice system is to create a position responsible for providing these services. In an effort to promote pretrial release, the position would conduct evaluations, assessments, and referrals for treatment for individuals awaiting trial or disposition of criminal charges. These additional services would provide greater assurance to the judiciary that individuals can safely remain in or return to the community while accessing necessary treatment resources. Allowing an individual to remain in the community will increase employment stability, avoid disruptions in treatment and education, preserve family stability, and as a result, reduce the likelihood of re-arrest. For individuals participating in the pretrial release program, the position will also provide case management support in treatment or diversionary programs with the expectation that this higher level of therapeutic support will increase successful outcomes in these programs and reduce recidivism. Finally, this position will support inmates remaining in the jail with counseling for ongoing mental health issues and will create discharge plans for those being released. The goal of these efforts is to promote immediate engagement in community resources upon release in an effort to reduce rates of recidivism. Funding for this position will be supported through reimbursement from Cardinal Innovations. Annually, the County provides maintenance of effort funding to Cardinal Innovations to support selected mental health, substance abuse, and intellectual/developmental disability services. In Fiscal Year 15-16, Orange County allocated $1.3 million to its maintenance of effort payment, which includes a $107,500 reserve to support unforeseen needs. The County would use $31,200 of this reserve to finance the costs associated with Criminal Case Assessment Specialist. The position started in January as an un-benefited, temporary position but would be converted to a full time, benefitted position upon approval by the Board of County Commissioners.