45th District Court receives Mental Health Grant

Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) recognizes the outstanding work of the 45th District Court in Oak Park for being awarded a $178,328 grant from the Michigan Mental Health Court Grant Program administered by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO).

The 45th District Mental Health Treatment Court (MHC) is a specialized program that addresses the needs of eligible individuals with mental health issues and/or co-occurring disorders involved in the criminal justice system at the misdemeanor level in Oakland County.

“Mental health treatment courts are a dynamic collaboration between two diverse systems, the criminal justice and community mental health systems,” says Judge David Gubow of the 45th District Court. “Our program is designed to address the mental health and other treatment needs of participants in order to reduce recidivism and improve their quality of life which is a benefit to the participant, as well as the entire community.” Judge Gubow continues.

The funding is enabling the MHC to focus on treatment and rehabilitation of misdemeanor offenders who have serious and persistent mental illnesses, intellectual developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, and/or co-occurring disorders.

The program helps to reduce the cost of mental health treatment within the criminal justice system, and most importantly improves the quality of participants’ lives. Anticipated program outcomes include:

• Integrate the delivery of mental health services with probation oversight

• Reduce mental health hospitalizations and emergency room visits

• Enhance mental and physical health

• Reduce re-offending

• Improve public safety

• Reduce incarcerations

“Mental health treatment courts like the 45th District provide people with the necessary resources to manage their mental health needs during and after probation,” says Willie Brooks, Executive Director & CEO of Oakland Community Health Network. “The additional support is instrumental in helping people both fulfill their legal obligations and establish a platform from which they can begin to rebuild their lives and become valued community members.”

Individuals who commit misdemeanor crimes within the 45th District Court area including Huntington Woods, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, and Royal Oak Township can be eligible for this program. They must meet eligibility criteria to participate in the program.

The grant period is from October 1, 2017, through September 30, 2018.

About OCHN

Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) is the public mental health system responsible for identifying, influencing, and delivering services and supports to approximately 25,800 Oakland County residents, including individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, adults with mental illness, children with serious emotional disturbance, and persons with substance use disorders. Most of these individuals have Medicaid.

OCHN’s current network of service providers include: Common Ground, Community Housing Network, Community Living Services, Community Network Services, Easterseals Michigan, Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, Oakland Family Services, Inc., and Training and Treatment Innovations. A complete list of substance use service providers is available on OCHN’s website. For more information about OCHN call 800- 341-2003 or visit www.oaklandchn.org