Date: 09/21/2015

Final
Presentation by Project EDGE

TREATMENT OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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01:02 PM -- Presentation by Project EDGE

Bill Myers, Chief Community Engagement Officer for Project Early Diversion, Get Engaged (Project EDGE), and Charlie Davis, Community Crisis Connection Program Manager for Project EDGE, introduced themselves. They provided the committee with two handouts about Project EDGE (Attachments B and Attachment C). Project EDGE is a pilot program in Boulder County that aims to divert individuals who have behavioral health issues from the criminal justice system, and instead engage them in appropriate treatment. Mr. Myers stated that the program is funded through a three-year grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. He stated that it is one of three sites nationwide to receive this early diversion grant award. Mr. Myers outlined how mental health professionals engage with law enforcement officers in Boulder County to provide diversion services when an incident occurs. He provided information about the program staffing and reviewed data about the program, which began in March 2014.

15MICJS0921AttachB.pdf15MICJS0921AttachB.pdf 15MICJS0921AttachC.pdf15MICJS0921AttachC.pdf

01:08 PM

Mr. Myers answered questions about the information in the handouts. Mr. Myers and Mr. Davis responded to questions about what happens to people who have an encounter with a Project EDGE worker, but do not seek behavioral health treatments. In response to a question, Mr. Davis listed the criteria that would result in a mental health hold.


01:12 PM

Representative Singer relayed his experience observing Project EDGE. Mr. Myers answered questions about how the program provides cost savings, including reductions in emergency department visits and placements in jails. Mr. Davis discussed the value that police departments find in the program. Mr. Myers stated that program costs are about $525,000 per year, covered both by the federal grant and by Mental Health Partners. Mr. Myers discussed the desire to continue the program after the federal funding expires. He referenced other communities that are interested in participating in the program.


01:21 PM

In response to a question, Mr. Davis outlined how a Project EDGE worker responds to a situation where law enforcement has been called. He relayed the details of a specific case where Project EDGE was engaged. In response to a question about the follow-up services provided by the program, Mr. Davis discussed peer support specialists who are involved in the program who follow up with the clients to provide support and guidance. He listed the charges that cannot be diverted under the program.


01:30 PM

Mr. Davis answered questions about the Project EDGE response times when a call is made to a police department. Representative Singer shared additional details about his experience observing Project EDGE. In response to a question, Mr. Davis discussed the common factors that are prevalent in the Project EDGE cases. Mr. Davis responded to a question about whether the program can be abused to avoid criminal charges. Mr. Davis said that people do not get a second chance to divert charges if they engage once with Project EDGE, but do not seek treatment after the initial contact.


01:38 PM

Senator Martinez Humenik suggested expanding the data collected by Project EDGE. There was discussion about the types of data the committee members would be interested in receiving about Project EDGE. Representative Singer discussed the potential for expanding Project EDGE statewide. Senator Martinez Humenik discussed substance use by teens and young adults. Mr. Davis discussed the potential of expanding Project EDGE by stationing workers in county jails. Mr. Davis explained the training that occurs through the program.


01:51 PM

Committee members continued to dialogue with Mr. Davis and Mr. Myers about Project EDGE. Mr. Myers reiterated that this is a pilot program that has only existed for 17 months. Mr. Myers explained why the program is restricted to Boulder County. Senator Martinez Humenik thanked Mr. Myers and Mr. Davis for their presentation.