Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Pilot Project Begins: New Court Position to Promote Mental Health Treatment, Reduce Incarceration

An ICP Mental Health Working Group idea whose time has clearly come. Kudos to Poulsbo Mayor Erickson for running with the ball on this pilot program and Port Orchard Mayor Matthes for his early support. This program is a small step towards a big goal: getting people suffering from mental health disorders out of jail and connected to the help they need.

North Kitsap Sun coverage: Grant Goal: Mental Health Help, Not Jail

Video of Mayor Erickson's May 6 presentation about the program to the Poulsbo City Council (starts at 53:42).

Click here to read about the "Stepping Up Initiative," a national program to reduce the number of mentally ill people in county jails.