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15 <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 limited <br /> options to successfully divert an individual in crisis from either hospital-based emergency department (ED) or criminal justice (CJ) system.This <br /> 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,procedures, <br /> and practices will lead to enhancements in Orange County crisis system capabilities by establishing services that currently do not exist or are <br /> 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,and <br /> friends;2) law enforcement and emergency medical professionals; 3) hospital-based ED and in-patient facility and staff;and 4) various criminal <br /> justice stakeholders including detention center operations and staff.Through communitywide collaboration and networking with all allied <br /> treatment and social services partners,Orange County will maintain a continuum of care thus facilitating effective transition from crisis care to <br /> 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 planning <br /> and additional assessment work. <br /> 2 <br />