OCCMHA Receives Funding to Expand Criminal Justice Efforts

Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA) recently received approximately $200,000 in jail diversion grants from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) to expand its criminal justice and jail diversion programs in 2017.

“We are extremely thankful for the State’s continued commitment to our valuable criminal justice programs,” said OCCMHA Executive Director and CEO, Willie Brooks. “Providing mental health services to individuals within the judicial system is an absolute necessity if we are going to have a positive impact on successful jail diversion and transition efforts.”

A portion of the grant funds is being used for the expansion of the highly successful Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, a nationally recognized community program that establishes a partnership between law enforcement and mental health professionals and promotes positive outcomes during crisis situations. Since 2015, OCCMHA has facilitated CIT trainings for law enforcement agencies in which 100 officers have participated.

“Our criminal justice team continues to go above and beyond to establish and implement services that benefit our community, especially for those who are involved with the judicial system,” explains OCCMHA Administrator of Access and Acute Care, Cathie Yunker. “We work closely with community members, law enforcement, and the court system to identify areas of need and then propose meaningful solutions that truly change lives.”

Grant funds are also being used for the creation of a Supported Transition into Rapid Re-housing (STIRR) program. The program aims to reduce the likelihood of re-offending by providing community transition supports and services to individuals with a mental illness who are leaving Oakland County Jail and experiencing homelessness. OCCMHA is partnering with Community Housing Network (CHN) and Hope Shelter to implement the program, which offers longer term housing solutions, while supporting recovery.

Additionally, grant dollars are being allocated to strengthen OCCMHA’s juvenile justice efforts by adding a Juvenile Justice Diversion Coordinator position. The role of this position is to identify and divert youth with mental health needs from the criminal justice system by offering technical assistance and training to law enforcement and other community partners.

For more information about OCCMHA’s criminal justice services visit www.occmha.org and select the service information link, or contact customer services at (800) 341-2003.

About OCCMHA

Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority is the public mental health system responsible for identifying, influencing, and delivering services and supports to approximately 25,000 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.

OCCMHA’s current network of service providers include: Common Ground, Community Housing Network, Community Living Services, Community Network Services, Easter Seals 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 OCCMHA’s website. For more information about OCCMHA call (800) 341-2003 or visit www.occmha.org.