Columbus, Georgia

Agenda Item #__________



Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting

May 27, 2003



Agenda Report#__________



TO: MAYOR AND COUNCIL



SUBJECT: 2003 MENTAL HEALTH COURT GRANT PROGRAM



INITIATED BY:

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Recommendation: Pass a resolution supporting application for a grant of

$150,000 (over a period of two years) from the 2003 Bureau of Justice

Assistance Mental Health Court Grant Program.



Background: Funds have been allocated to the 2003 Bureau of Justice Assistance

Mental Health Court Grant Program to improve the outcome of courts in dealing

with defendants with mental illness and decrease the amount of time persons

with mental illness spend in jail. Staff has identified persons in the jail

population that may benefit from this program. This program could help us

reduce the jail population by targeting individuals charged with misdemeanors

or nonviolent offenses who have mental illness, mental retardation or

co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders. This program

would be coordinated with multiple courts in the City with the service

provider, District Attorneys and Public Defenders.



Analysis: Mentally ill persons represent approximately 18% of the jail

population nationwide. This group requires special medical treatment,

including medications, while in jail, and frequently present management

problems due to behaviors related to their mental illness. Participation in

the program would be voluntary, and would divert mentally ill defendants who

commit misdemeanor and non-violent, low-level felony offenses related to their

mental illness to a coordinated effort between all the courts. The courts

would sentence the persons to appropriate mental health treatment, and provide

follow-up monitoring to ensure compliance. The City will partner with a

service provider who will provide the treatment and case management aspects of

the program. Goals of the program include decreasing the number of persons

with mental illness in the jail, protecting public safety, improving the

quality of life of the mentally ill persons by ensuring they receive treatment,

and building a relationship between treatment provider and patient to encourage

participation in treatment after the mandated period.



Financial Considerations: The grant is for $150,000 and requires a 25% match of

in-kind contributions ($37,500).



Legal Considerations: The Columbus Consolidated Government is eligible to

receive these funds.



Recommendation/Action: Authorize the City Manager to submit, and if approved,

accept a grant of $150,000 from the 2003 Bureau of Justice Assistance Mental

Health Court Grant.