Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
Hillsborough County intends to expand an existing pre and post booking jail diversion program in order to divert adults with serious mental illness (SMI) or a co-occurring disorder (COD) from the criminal justice system to community-based services prior to arrest and booking. The program is expected to serve 40 clients annually in years 1-4 and 30 clients in year 5. Data collected by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office on jail inmates indicates that more than one in ten has a diagnosed mental and/or co-occurring substance use disorder, 15.4% in 2014-15, and 12.52% in 2015-16. On average, 785 inmates per month received psychotropic medications. In order to address the prevalence of SMI and COD in the Hillsborough County jail, County government has partnered with the Agency for Community Treatment Service (ACTS) and the University of South Florida (USF), with support from the Hillsborough County Public Safety Coordinating Council. ACTS will be tasked with providing direct services, case management and data collection under this grant. USF will be the independent evaluator. Hillsborough County’s Criminal Justice Office proposes to expand and enhance the County’s existing jail diversion program. The current program diverts persons who are experiencing minor behavioral health issues and are accused of committing certain misdemeanors and ordinance violations from jail. The individuals subsequently are referred to a number of behavioral health interventions including: case management, counseling, mental health and substance abuse treatment, residential services, vocational services, and community monitoring. Services are limited to those already available in the community through other payors. Services are up to three months in duration. A three-year analysis conducted by USF clients of the current program who receive more intensive services and closer supervision in the community benefitted from better long-term outcomes. The County Criminal Justice Office proposes to enhance existing services for community jail diversion by expanding the length of service up to 12 months and implementing an intensive service team component. ACTS is the current jail diversion program partner and has committed to providing all necessary services to implement this new program as well as collecting and reporting the required match funds. The current model is funded through a variety of state, private and local funds. USF has committed to performing all necessary data collection, evaluations and reporting, as well as providing technical assistance and support for evidence based practices and implementation. Efforts sponsored by this grant will improve access to behavioral health services and entitlements for those with SMI or COD who would otherwise be arrested and taken to jail; reduce the number of people with SMI or COD in the County’s jail population; reduce the burden on the Court system for initial arrests and repeat offenders; reduce recidivism for those enrolled in the program; and reduce symptomology for those enrolled and receiving services through the program.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
