Date: 03/22/2013
Final
Discussion of Upcoming Projects and Initiatives Impacting People with Mental Illness who are Involved in the Criminal Justice System
TREATMENT OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
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01:14 PM -- Discussion of Upcoming Projects and Initiatives Impacting People with Mental Illness who are Involved in the Criminal Justice System
Marc Condojani, representing the Office of Behavioral Health in the Department of Human Services, came to the table to discuss jail-based mental health services. He provided a handout regarding the Office of Behavioral Health budget request (Attachment D). He responded to questions from the committee about increased funding for jail-based behavioral health services and their funding by the Correctional Treatment Fund. The committee discussed the integration of community-wide crisis response systems. Mr. Condojani commented about the capacity at the state's two mental health institutes. He discussed the improvement of community capacity to deliver a continuum of community-based treatment services most appropriate to the needs of the consumer.
13MICJS0322AttachD.pdf
01:24 PM
Senator Tochtrop asked questions about federal regulations that affect federal funding to the states for community-based mental health treatment services. Mr. Condojani discussed the existing programs for jail-based behavioral health services in ten Colorado counties and the expansion of those programs. He indicated that he is expecting a $1.2 million increase in state funding for the programs in FY 2013-14. He responded to questions from Representative Labuda about coverage of services across county jails and about the outcomes of the various programs. Senator Newell asked how the oversight committee might be able to assist in overcoming barriers to the most effective provision of services.
01:35 PM
Representative Labuda asked about the percentage of mentally ill offenders who also have a substance abuse problem. Mr. Condojani commented about co-occurring disorders in the criminal justice system.
01:37 PM
Ken Cole, representing the Office of Behavioral Health, joined the committee to discuss the expansion of inpatient psychiatric hospital capacity. He provided a written overview of the the 20-bed Jail-based Restoration Program (Attachment E). He spoke about capacity issues at the state's two mental health institutes; the demand for forensic services at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo; the expansion of capacity with a 20-bed jail-based restoration unit in the Denver Metropolitan Area; and other jail-based restoration program components. He discussed the request-for-proposals process for selecting a vendor to provide services at the unit, which will be based at the Arapahoe County Jail. Mr. Cole spoke about a similar program in San Bernardino, California, on which the Colorado program is based. He stressed that the program is designed to help restore inmates to competency so they can proceed at trial.
13MICJS0322AttachE.pdf
01:48 PM
Senator Tochtrop asked for more information about the California program. Senator Newell asked how the oversight committee might assist with any obstacles. Mr. Cole commented that the members should provide feedback through the state departments.