Non-Profit

The final session discussed how to use an evaluation to inform program improvements and develop ongoing quality improvement practices based on outcomes. This included strategies for communicating to a diverse set of stakeholders about the impact the program has on the community. The evaluator from the FY21 County of Durham, NC grant team joined the session to share final outcome reports and how the team has used the data to inform current and future initiatives.

It can often be difficult to link people to the treatment they need during a behavioral health emergency. Crisis stabilization units (CSUs) are one alternative to using emergency departments to provide crisis intervention to people in need. This Ask the Expert session was joined by Sergeant Jason Winsky and Dr. Margie Balfour from Tucson, Arizona who talked about the CSU model in Tucson and how it has become a resource for law enforcement responding to crisis calls for service.

Staff working on Police-Mental Health Collaborations (PMHCs) can experience trauma in a number of distinct ways that should be understood and addressed specifically, rather than with more generalized approaches. CSG staff and their JMHCP grantee guest speaker delineated the difference between secondary and vicarious trauma for attendees before engaging in discussions about different approaches agencies can take to support their employees.

This session introduced diversion opportunities before people ever come into contact with the courts through community-led and law enforcement efforts. Participants discussed these experiences with law enforcement and community-led efforts, including Law Enforcement-Mental Health Learning Sites with homeless outreach team components, Harris County Sheriff’s Department and Wichita Police Department, in a panel format.

This Community of Practice session introduced the evidence-based models for this population and help developed a baseline understanding of housing principles. The session included how to apply a framework in using housing for diversion and previewed how to leverage JMHCP for this work. In a case study format, participants heard from Sonoma County, CA's experience in undertaking this work through JMHCP and now sustaining it.

Small and rural jurisdictions across the country often face distinct challenges that make it difficult to implement the types of crisis response programs that larger and urban areas have. This ask-the-expert session focused on the unique experiences of people working on crisis response in rural areas. The CSG Justice Center was joined by representatives from Yavapai County, Arizona. These experts gave a brief overview of the work they are doing in Arizona to respond to people experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

A representative from the CSG Justice Center presented at the CIT International Conference along with a representative from Denver 9-1-1. The title of the presentation was "Sending Civilian Responders to 9-1-1 Calls". The importance of sending specialized responses to behavioral health calls for service was discussed. The presentation also highlighted the success of the Denver learning site. The call triage protocols for the STAR Program were discussed, and the presenters answered questions from the audience.

The second session of this Community of Practice provided a more in-depth look into the different components of an evaluation and how to tailor data collection based on the type of program. The presenters discussed data collection for crisis response programs, different evaluation methods (surveys and focus groups), and how grantees can conduct an internal assessment of their current data collection to help develop and implement a data collection plan.

The establishment of a Police-Mental Health Collaboration (PMHC) program has made law enforcement agencies more effective at responding to calls involving people with mental illnesses safely and successfully. By creating strategies that focus on sustainability, program planners can help guarantee that these programs are effectively responding to public safety calls long into the future.

Building on the first session which covered the 18 components of the expanded model, this session focused on Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) with individuals who have behavioral health needs and how responsivity principles can help to address criminogenic and behavioral needs simultaneously. The presentation included incorporating a trauma-informed perspective and how to tailor interventions to individuals with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders in the justice system to achieve better outcomes.