JMHCP Grantee (2009) -- Charleston County Mental Health Court Expansion

Charleston County

Overview

Jurisdiction Level

County

Jurisdiction Type

Mixed

Age Level

Adult

JMHCP Grantee Information

Grant Year

2009

Description

Charleston County will use the FY 2009 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration funding to address the problem of the growing number of individuals with mental illness in the local jail by increasing the number of participants the program has the capacity to serve and improving the quality of services. The Charleston County Mental Health Court (CCMHC) plans to expand screening efforts, increase access to a psychiatrist, expand a contingency management system of rewards for positive behaviors, ensure that the CCMHC team receives appropriate training, increase funding for transportation to treatment and court appointments, and provide more assistance in the areas of emergency housing. With the expanded and enhanced efforts, it is expected that recidivism among participants will be reduced by 65 percent, and the CCMHC will become a model for other jurisdictions in the state.