Westchester County has launched a new Court-Based Mental Health Navigator Program aimed at connecting people with mental illness who are involved in the criminal justice system with treatment and community services while their cases are pending.
Mental health navigators will work with eligible defendants to connect them with treatment, housing, transportation and other services while helping them meet court requirements.
The program is available to people facing misdemeanor or felony charges who have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Referrals can be made by the court, or defendants can request services on their own.
Helping address barriers to recovery
County Executive Ken Jenkins said in a press
release that the program reflects the county's effort to address the needs of people whose mental health challenges often make navigating the court system more difficult.
"Navigating the criminal justice system can be difficult and especially for those with mental health or substance use issues," Jenkins said. "Reducing the times someone is engaged in the criminal justice system by finding them the real help that they need is a win for everyone."
Deputy Department of Community Mental Health Commissioner Joseph Glazer also said in a news release that intervening early gives participants a better chance of long-term success. Rather than providing only short-term assistance, navigators will connect individuals with lasting community resources.
"By connecting individuals to services, we improve public safety by reducing the cycles of incarceration and reduce jail time all while finding the treatment that is needed to avoid the criminal justice system in the future," Glazer said.
Partnership with Westchester's local courts
Program Director Michelle Hart said expanding the county's presence in local courts has strengthened relationships with judges.
"We have developed a real partnership with the courts and judges who understand that long incarceration is not always the best solution to help put people on a path to success," Hart said. "Connecting to services helps to avoid repeated court appearances and improves overall well-being."
These Westchester courts will introduce new mental health navigator
The Court-Based Mental Health Navigator Program is being introduced in the courts serving:
- Cortlandt
- Dobbs Ferry
- Hastings-on-Hudson
- Mount Kisco
- Mount Pleasant
- North Castle
- Ossining
- Peekskill
- Tarrytown
- Yorktown
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester introduces court-based mental health navigator program
