The Intersection of Behavioral Health & Criminal Justice Reform

WHAT: As Massachusetts considers a sweeping criminal justice bill and behavioral health reform, stakeholders, researchers, policy experts, and government officials across the fields of behavioral health, criminal justice, and public safety convene to share information on evidence-based programs that are successfully diverting individuals with behavioral health conditions from the criminal justice system and preventing recidivism.

WHY: Individuals with behavioral health conditions are over-represented within our justice system and at every stage of the judicial process at great cost to both the individuals and society at large. Opportunities exist to align criminal justice and behavioral health reform efforts that could have significant impact on businesses and government entities throughout Massachusetts.

WHO:

• Marylou Sudders, MSW, ACSW – Secretary, Massachusetts Executive Office of Health & Human Services (luncheon keynote)
• Honorable Ralph D. Gants – Chief Justice, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (closing keynote)
• Honorable Steven Leifman – Associate Administrative Judge, Criminal Division, Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida

WHEN:

Thursday, November 9, 2017
8:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Morning session: Integrating Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Reform: Best Practices from Around the Country (9:30 AM)

Afternoon session: Behavioral Health and the Criminal Justice System in Massachusetts: Effective Programs from Across the Commonwealth (1:00 PM)

WHERE: Omni Parker House
60 School Street
Boston, MA 02108

SPONSORS: Massachusetts Association for Mental Health; Association for Behavioral Healthcare; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation; Behavioral Health & Economics Network/National Council for Behavioral Health; and the National Council for Behavioral Health.

To register for the event, click here.