Feature
Justice Center Hosts Reception to Celebrate the Passage and Reauthorization of the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act
On July 16, 2009, the Council of State Governments Justice Center hosted a Congressional reception during the BJA-sponsored training and technical assistance event, Smart Responses in Tough Times: Achieving Better Outcomes for People with Mental Illnesses Involved in the Criminal Justice System. The reception, which was held in the Rayburn House Office Building, included Congressional members, staff, and representatives from state and local jurisdictions around the country working on collaborative criminal justice and mental health initiatives.
Members of Congress and their staff were honored with awards recognizing their leadership on mental health issues and support of efforts to improve state and local responses to people with mental illnesses involved in the criminal justice system. Congressman Bill Delahunt (D-MA) was on hand to receive his award and thank conference participants, many of whom are Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA) grantees and applicants, for their hard work on behalf of people with mental illnesses. Also honored for their leadership on behalf of MIOTCRA were Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), and Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).
For more information on MIOTCRA, please click here.
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| Congressman Bill Delahunt speaking to attendees at the MIOTRCA reception. |