Consensus Project August 2009 Newsletter
Smart Responses in Tough Times: Materials from the Justice Center and BJA 2009 Technical Assistance and Training Event.
The Justice Center, in conjunction with the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), U.S. Department of Justice, hosted a national technical assistance and training event on July 15-17, 2009 in Washington, DC. Speakers at this event provided training to nearly 500 representatives from state and local governments and community-based programs who are working to improve how the justice system addresses adults and juveniles with mental illnesses. Smart Responses in Tough Times: Achieving Better Outcomes for People with Mental Illnesses Involved in the Criminal Justice System was the largest training forum ever organized by BJA on this topic.
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.
Senate Appropriations Committee Approves $10 million for Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act for FY 2010
The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved its appropriations bill for the U.S. Department of Justice for fiscal year 2010, which provides $10 million for the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA). The version of the bill that passed the House of Representatives in June provides $12 million for MIOTCRA. The Department of Justice appropriations bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration. A detailed list of Department of Justice programs is below.
Announcements
Welcome to the Consensus Project's New Website
The Justice Center is in the final stages of pilot testing its newly redesigned Criminal Justice/Mental Health Consensus Project website and newsletter. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more information on how you can use the new site.
Aug 24 AJA and Arlington, VA Sheriff's Office Co-hosting Training for Jail Staff on Mental Illnesses
The August 24-26, 2009 course in Arlington, Virginia will offer practical methods and best practices for responding to people with mental illnesses in local jails.
Sep 13 37th National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies Annual Conference and Training Institute
The 37th National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies Annual Conference and Training Institute will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina. The conference, entitled "Game Plan for Change", will be held on September 13-16, 2009.
Criminal Justice/Mental Health In the News
Articles from newspapers around the country covering issues at the intersection of mental health and criminal justice can be found on the Consensus Project website. Some recent headlines from the homepage are posted below.