Court Services Stepping Up InitiativeStepping Up Initiative Alachua County Answers The CallAlachua County Answers The Call

What is the Stepping Up Initiative? The Stepping Up Initiative is a national effort to divert people with mental illness from jails into treatment. Summit Highlights!!

Stepping Up “Stepping Up” Summit in Washington, D.C. (4/17-19/2016)

Alachua County Team Major Charlie Lee, Alachua County Jail Peria Duncan, Court Services Director (Team Leader) Terrie Mullin, NAMI Gainesville President Leah Vail, Meridian Forensic Program Director Robert Hutchinson, County Commissioner

The BoCC has long provided funding for several behavioral health services in County Departments and community services. In FY 2016, the BoCC funded an additional $150,000 dedicated to behavioral health funding. The BoCC made behavioral health a priority for FY2017 and are in process of determining funding. Alachua County Board of County Commissioners

Court Services Continued collaborative efforts with partners to communicate regarding clients and programs First Appearance and CST (Central Screening Team) uses risk assessments and collects info specific to the individual and their situation In addition to continuum of programs, CS is involved in several Behavioral Health initiatives

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Department of the Jail Continually working to improve timeliness in identification and referral. Assessment begins at the door – Implementing new ‘Pre-Booking Assessment’ form for use as appropriate Intake Screening within 4 hours of booking – Comparing behavioral health screening to others in order to improve – Sharing of information with Court Services staff prior to First Appearance – In-House Referrals (Mental Health and others) If kept in custody post First-Appearance – Evaluation by licensed Mental Health Staff Treatment Plan (to include medication management, if indicated) Housing Plan Communicate with other agencies for release planning, as appropriate Striving to strengthen information sharing

Established in 1971, serving all of North Central Florida Non-Profit (501(c)(3) healthcare provider Safety net services for those affected by mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Services Facilities (CARF) Licensed by the Department of Children and Families, Drug Enforcement Agency, Agency for Healthcare Administration Provide comprehensive care: Outpatient Acute Care and Residential 24/7 Call Center Meridian

Divert and/or prevent potential participants from the criminal justice system, extensive incarcerations and/or being committed to forensic state hospitals. Based on the Sequential Intercept Model and utilizes outreach, intervention and treatment services. Collaborates with key stakeholders including law enforcement, DOC, courts, attorneys and government. Services based on ACT model including intensive case management, psychiatric services, peer mentoring, competency restoration, mental health and substance abuse treatment. Involved in prevention strategies including Crisis Intervention Team Training, Trauma Informed Responses for Criminal Justice and Mental Health First Aid. Meridian Forensic Program

Stepping Up Alachua: Event to Provide Cutting Edge, Evidence-Based Approaches to Care Instead of Incarceration October 10 th and 11 th, 2016 Sponsors include Bob Graham Center Department of Psychiatry NAMI Gainesville National Alliance on Mental Illness

“Stepping Up Alachua” Planning Committee Members Robert “Hutch” Hutchinson – Alachua County Commissioner, Attendee of Summit Major Charlie Lee – Representing Sheriff Darnell, Attendee of Summit Peria Duncan – Director of Court Services, Attendee of Summit Leah Vail – Meridian, Attendee of Summit Stacey Scott or her designee – Public Defender’s Office Bill Cervone or his designee – State Attorney’s Office Paula Delaney – Former Alachua County Commissioner Gail Sassnet – Bob Graham Center Whitney Stout – Representing City of Gainesville Police Department Ali Martinez – Director of Alachua County Crisis Center Judy Broward – Vice President of NAMI Gainesville Terrie Mullin – President of NAMI Gainesville, Attendee of Summit

Senate Bill 12: “Mental Health and Substance Abuse” Passed in 2016 No Wrong Door Approach Implement by July 1, 2017

Current Efforts and Plan Collect data from ongoing processes and initiatives and report back to the BoCC in January, 2017: – Public Safety Coordinating Council Sub-Committee – County System Mapping – Governor’s Pilot Project – Sequential Intercept Model May th Event – “Stepping Up Alachua” Oct th Event

The Alachua County Stepping Up team will continue to collaboratively work towards ensuring policies, funding, processes and priorities are in line with the “Stepping Up Movement,” ensuring ongoing communication in diverting those with behavioral needs to treatment instead of incarceration whenever applicable. Collectively Moving Forward

REFERENCES Step Up Together County Teams Work to Make Stepping Up Initiative a Movement, Not a Moment Alachua County Board of County Commissioners Alachua County Department of Court Services Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Department of the Jail Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Gainesville

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