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4 <br /> EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br /> BHTF Report. This report presents Orange County Behavioral Health Task Force findings and recommendations for Orange County to <br /> establish a dedicated behavioral health (BH) crisis-diversion Facility to enhance its crisis response system and capabilities. <br /> Current Status. Orange County does not have a comprehensive BH crisis system. We have identified many gaps in current services and <br /> limited options to successfully divert an individual in crisis from either hospital-based emergency department (ED) or criminal justice (CJ) <br /> system. This need is characterized in terms of critical services that currently are lacking and estimated need for crisis care. <br /> Recommendation. The recommendation presented herein is for Orange County to enhance its crisis system by establishing a dedicated <br /> Crisis/Diversion Facility to provide for BH crisis services/criminal justice diversion. If implemented, this Facility and associated policies, <br /> procedures, and practices will lead to enhancements in Orange County crisis system capabilities by establishing services that currently do <br /> not exist or are limited in one or more important ways. <br /> Potential Benefits. The benefits of establishing the recommended crisis-diversion Facility accrue to: 1) the individuals in crisis, his/her family, <br /> and friends; 2) law enforcement and emergency medical professionals; 3) hospital-based ED and in-patient facility and staff; and 4) various <br /> criminal justice stakeholders including detention center operations and staff. Through communitywide collaboration and networking with all <br /> allied treatment and social services partners, Orange County will maintain a continuum of care thus facilitating effective transition from <br /> crisis care to community treatment. <br /> Next Steps. If the Board of County Commissioners accepts the BHTF recommendations, the next phase will address creation of a detailed <br /> implementation plan for construction/operation of an Orange County Crisis-Diversion Facility. Funding will be needed for this detailed <br /> planning and additional assessment work. <br /> 2 <br />