Rhode Island District Court (RIDC) proposes implementing dedicated treatment and training for a statewide pre-plea, Mental Health Treatment Court for individuals with Serious Mental Illness and Co-occurring illness charged with a misdemeanor.
The Goal of RIMHTC is jail diversion. Successful completion results in jail diversion or reduction of charge, including dismissals. Improving the quality of life by diverting participants into treatment will have a lasting effect on them and their families, communities, and society.
This proposal addresses the entire State of Rhode Island.
The RIMTHC targets SMI and CMISA charged with a misdemeanor level offense. In addition, RIMHTC intends to serve high-risk/high-need or low-risk/high-need participants and train individuals, law enforcement, and community care providers in evidence-based programming and the MHC court process.
Rhode Island is the second-most densely populated state, with 1,061,509 people within 1545 square miles. Demographics include: White: 80.46%, Black or African American: 6.77%, Other race: 5.47%, Asian: 3.40%, Two or more races: 3.33%, Native American: 0.50%, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.08%. Additionally, 4% of RI's adult population lives with SMI (n=38,000).
RIMHTC will use a regimen of evidence-based mental health, substance use treatment, recovery services, and community support aided by court leverage, regular hearings, and a focus on the participant creating better outcomes for the individual, community, providers, and the judiciary.
RIDC is requesting $423,000 in federal funding.