NCJ Number
174648
Journal
American Jails Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: March/April 1998 Pages: 69-72
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Orange County (Florida) is in the process of developing a new approach to jail inmates who have been dually diagnosed as needing both substance-abuse and mental-health treatment.
Abstract
Representatives from law enforcement, mental health, and substance abuse treatment agencies formed a community mental health task force. This task force, appointed by the county governing body, was charged with designing an integrated, coordinated system to provide mental health substance abuse services. More specifically, the group focused on several issues essential to dealing more effectively with substance abusing, mentally ill individuals. One issue was the diversion of dually diagnosed individuals from the jail and the criminal justice system, and another issue was ensuring a stable environment upon release from custody. The development of mechanisms to ensure continued treatment upon release from custody was another issue, along with the implementation of specialized services for the homeless mentally ill and dually diagnosed. Other issues were the creation of a centralized data system to track mutual clients between agencies, constructing a central location for intake and assessment, and expanding options for law enforcement when dealing with the target population. The centerpiece of the plan is the construction of a new center for coordinated service delivery (currently under construction). The center will be located adjacent to the jail and will contain numerous programs and services. The multi-unit facility is designed to include a central assessment unit, a crisis stabilization unit, a detox unit, a fragile housing unit, residential housing, day treatment, a low-demand shelter, and case management.