Date: 02/17/2012
Final
Mental Health Services in the Criminal Justice System
TREATMENT OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
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01:40 PM -- Mental Health Services in the Criminal Justice System
Dr. Abigail Tucker, representing the Community Reach Center and the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, introduced herself to the committee. She spoke about the provision of mental health services in the criminal justice system. She described services provided by the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) and the department's partnership with community mental health centers. She referred to a similar partnership between community corrections and community mental health centers.
01:44 PM
Dr. Tucker spoke about DOC's work on the Evidence-Based Practice Implementation for Capacity (EPIC) Project to provide statewide training to law enforcement officers concerning mental health first aid. Senator S. King asked whether offenders who are released early receive medication. Dr. Tucker explained that practices vary by jail, and there are differences between urban and rural jails.
01:47 PM
Representative Acree asked how many people enter jail because there is not room for them at mental health centers. Dr. Tucker provided data related to her question. Senator Tochtrop asked for information about law enforcement becoming educated on how to deal with individuals having a mental health crisis. She also asked if community mental health care centers are getting more beds to help jails who are at capacity. Dr. Tucker spoke about Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training. Ms. McGuire spoke about a presentation that the task force received related to CIT. She said that bigger law enforcement agencies tend to have officers who are CIT-certified because they can spare officers to attend the training.
01:54 PM
Dr. Tucker continued to respond to Senator Tochtrop's questions regarding bed space. She said that it is easier for someone who is insured to receive services at community mental health centers and the state hospitals, but there is not even enough space for those individuals. She spoke about Senate Bill 07-097, concerning grants for offender mental health services. Dr. Tucker responded to further questions from Representative Labuda.
01:58 PM
Representative Acree asked what the major barriers are to expanding bed space or to allowing other organizations to provide services. Dr. Tucker said that it is a question of funding.
01:58 PM -- Mr. Chris Habgood, representing the Division of Behavioral Health within the Department of Human Services, came to the table to respond to Representative Acree's questions. Dr. Tucker spoke about the use of assisted care facilities.
02:02 PM
Senator Tochtrop asked if there is an effort on the part of community mental health centers to get clients enrolled in Medicaid. Dr. Tucker responded to further questions from Representative Acree. Representative Labuda asked if there is a "revolving door," or if clients consist of people who may be moving from state to state. Dr. Tucker and Mr. Habgood both weighed in, indicating that it is a mixture of both. Mr. Habgood spoke about Senate Bill 07-036, which mandated insurance coverage for certain mental health disorders. He discussed the effects of federal health care reform. Representative Conti asked for additional information concerning Senate Bill 07-036.
02:09 PM
Senator Boyd asked for information concerning the mental health disorders covered under Senate Bill 07-036. Discussion ensued. Representative Labuda asked Mr. Habgood for information concerning the effect of the bill.