Polk County Problem Solving Courts

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Jody Reed
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1 Polk County Problem Solving Courts Behavioral Health Court (BHC) Veteran s Court Docket Drug Court: Drug Court Laboratory Adult Drug Court Juvenile Drug Court DUI Drug Court PADC MM Drug Court PADC Felony Drug Court Honorable Robert L. Williams, Jr. Presiding Judge

2 BHC Vision Our vision is, on an individual basis, to treat each person s behavioral health needs, and to reconnect the broken threads of trust and confidence that these offenders have lost through years of untreated mental health issues. We expect responsibility and accountability for actions, but we temper those expectations with the understanding that many issues need to be resolved before treatment can be effective. We are working to create a safety net for individuals, who, through loss of resources, cannot access treatment, jobs, medications and other support. Each of us believes that, if we are able to turn around even one life and make permanent changes for the future for just one person, we have done well for that person and for society as a whole. If not us, who will? 2

3 Polk County Behavioral Health Court Initiated in October 2007 in response to the growing number of defendants with serious and chronic behavioral health issues who cycle again and again through the criminal justice system Developed because traditional court processes are generally not equipped to improve outcomes for offenders with behavioral health issues 3

4 Team Approach BHC Team Honorable Robert L. Williams, Jr., Presiding Judge Court Staff State Attorney s Office Public Defender s Office County Probation Community Providers 4

5 BHC Staff BHC staff is currently funded under the Indigent Health Care Division providing direct case management services to the BHC participants and administrative support to the program. In addition to the BHC staff, Court Administration, as well as the other agencies involved, provide support and staff as needed for this program and services. 5

6 BHC Purpose and Eligibility Diverting these offenders from our jails and into more appropriate communitybased mental health treatment is vital to: Enhance public safety by providing judges and prosecutors with alternatives to incarceration and making jail bed space available for violent offenders. Promote the safety and well being of persons with mental health issues by reducing inappropriate incarcerations. Reduce county jail costs to house affected persons, who generally, because of their mental health issues, cost more to house. A voluntary program for Polk County residents who are charged with misdemeanor criminal offenses and who suffer from a mental health issue, cooccurring substance abuse disorder or a developmental disability. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Ed. (DSM-V) is required. Participants are offered treatment-based sentencing alternatives that utilize judicial oversight and appropriate community-based treatment plans in lieu of incarceration. Examples of this are counseling, medication management, case management, substance abuse screening, court appearances, positive reinforcements and therapeutic consequences. BHC lasts up to 12 months 6

7 Veteran s Court Docket The Veteran s Court Docket falls under the Behavioral Health Court with two major differences: VA services (if they qualify through the VA: Veterans Justice Outreach contact to assist in determining eligibility). The veterans are assigned a mentor through our Veterans Mentor Program. 7

8 BHC and Veteran s Docket BHC and Veteran s Docket was established by Administrative order AO Court is held every Wednesday at 10:00 A.M. with staffing at 8:20 A.M. Currently have 26 active participants with 3 veteran s in the program. 135 participants have graduated from BHC since October Of the 135 graduates, only 21 or 16% have been rearrested within one year after graduating the program. - Of the 135 graduates, 52 or 38% have been rearrested since the inception. 158 participants have been discharged unsuccessfully since October Of those 158 participants, 109 or 69% have been rearrested. 8

9 Benefits to the Problem Solving Courts Stops criminal and other self-defeating behaviors Promotes the safety and well-being of persons with mental health issues Breaks the cycle of addiction Promotes control of life patterns and decisions Encourages accountability and responsibility for choices and actions Develops health and life skills Improves family and other relationships Changes thinking (beliefs) and behaviors Provides community based support as well as in-house support with judicial oversight Program compliance keeps participants out of jail and/or prison Saves taxpayer dollars 9

10 Community Service Providers Polk County Healthcare Plan Central Florida Behavioral Health Network Agency for Community Treatment, INC (ACTS) CARES Champion for Children Advocacy Center Citrus Connection Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coordinating (DACCO) Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, Inc. Heartland Intergroup Hope Now InnerAct Alliance Lakeland Regional Medical Center Mental Health Resource Center Peace River Center RBHS FACT Team StandUP Polk (IAA) Tenth Circuit State Attorney s Office The Mission Of Winter Haven Tri-County Human Services, Inc. VOC Rehab Polk County Drug Court Early Learning Coalition Polk Career Source Polk Catholic Charities Church Service Center County Probation FACT Team of Winter Haven Heartland For Children Healthy Families of Polk Human Services Associates, Inc. Lake Wales Care Center Lighthouse Ministries McGordon Health and Wellness Center Polk County Sheriff s Office Salvation Army Talbot House Tenth Circuit Public Defender s Office The Residence United Way Volunteers of America VISTE Volunteers Women s Care Center (WCC) Winter Haven Hospital, Center for Behavioral Health 10

11 Success Story This 32 y/o married Caucasian male, father of three, was referred to MHC on 2/06/08 by his probation officer. Participant had a history of arrests which included a DUI. Participant dropped out of school in the 11 th grade, but maintained a $45,000 a year job in construction as a heavy equipment operator to provide for his family. With a severe history of alcoholism, major depression, anxiety, past hospitalizations at the CSU, he signed a contract to participate in the MHC on 2/20/08. His condition was guarded. His MHC contract/preliminary treatment plan included: Anger management, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, AA/NA. All programs were successfully completed at Peace River Center, with only one group meeting missed due to a school function with one of his children. He continues AA. With the encouragement of the Mental Health court, he maintained his sobriety and dealt with anger issues when he found himself unemployed, and struggled to regain employment during the course of the year. He never missed a court appearance, and all random drug screens were clean. He also worked community service hours to pay off his fines and maintained full compliance with Probation which ended before he finished the MHC program. Stabilized on medications, and with the support of his family and service providers, this participant completed the MHC program on 1/14/09. He left the program with confidence and became employed a week before he completed the program. He has not re-offended to date. 11

12 Why? Because it is the RIGHT thing to DO. Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorders have to be more of a PRIORITY issue. 12

13 Questions and Answers 13

Eighth Judicial District Court. Specialty Courts. Elizabeth Gonzalez. Chief Judge. DeNeese Parker. Specialty Court Administrator

Eighth Judicial District Court Specialty Courts Elizabeth Gonzalez Chief Judge DeNeese Parker Specialty Court Administrator Eighth Judicial District Specialty Court Programs Serving 1200 1500 Clark County