FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BJA

Wednesday, July 24, 2002?????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????202/307-0703

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ADVISORY

???????????? Funds Available To Help Communities Establish Mental Health Courts

Applications for grants up to $150,000 to help states, state courts, local courts, local governments, and tribal governments establish mental health courts are now available. The Mental Health Courts Program will be administered by the Department of Justice?s Office of Justice Programs? (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).? Awards will be made to a maximum of 20 grantees. The application deadline is September 13, 2002.

The Mental Health Courts Program will support specialized judicial supervision and mental health treatment for misdemeanor or nonviolent offenders with diagnosed mental illness or mental retardation.? Case managers will track each offender?s progress and coordinate services that can include job training, housing and health care.? The program will also support training for law enforcement and judicial personnel on identifying and addressing the needs of mentally ill and mentally retarded offenders.

To obtain a copy of the Mental Health Courts Program solicitation and application materials, visit the OJP web site at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA or contact the BJA Clearinghouse at 800-688?4252.

Media and congressional staff should contact the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs at 202-307?0703.

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