Agenda

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ARF- 3858

2. D.

Work Session

Meeting Date:	07/12/2016
Submitted For:	Don McDaniel Jr.
Submitted By:	Jacque Sanders, Asst. County Manager/Librarian
Department:	Deputy County Mgr/Library District	Division:	Administrative Services

Information

Request/Subject

Resolution No. 16-07-05 to Join the National Stepping Up Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illness in Jails.

Background Information

Each year, there are an estimated two million people with serious mental illnesses admitted to jails across the nation. Almost three-quarters of these adults also have drug and alcohol use problems. Once incarcerated, individuals with mental illnesses tend to stay longer in jail and upon release are at a higher risk of returning to incarceration than those without these illnesses. (from the Stepping Up Initiative).

Recognizing the critical role local and state officials play in supporting change, the National Association of Counties (NACo), the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, and the American Psychiatric Foundation (AFP) have come together to lead a national initiative to help advance counties' efforts to reduce the number of adults with mental and co-occurring substance use disorders in jails. The Stepping Up Initiative is about creating a long-term movement, not a moment in time, to raise awareness of the factors contributing to the over representation of people with mental illnesses in jails, and then using practices and strategies that work to bring those numbers down.

With support from the U.S. Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Assistance, the initiative will build on the many innovative and proven practices being implemented across the country.

Evaluation

The human toll and its cost to taxpayers is staggering. Jails spend two to three times more on adults with mental illnesses that require intervention than on people without those needs, according to a study from Duke University, yet often do not see improvements in recidivism or recovery. Despite counties' tremendous efforts to address the problem, there are often significant obstacles, such as coordinating multiple systems and operating with minimal resources.

Despite important efforts already underway in many counties, there is an urgent need to address this national crisis using a common, data-driven process that encourages innovation and brings good work to scale.

The initiative has two key components; a call to action with planned measured action steps, along with continued efforts in a national summit setting to advance county-led plans to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in jails.

Conclusion

At last count, 273 counties have passed resolutions addressing the need to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in jails. In addition, the National Sheriffs' Association has passed a resolution in support of The Stepping Up Initiative. In addition a wide range of supporting partners in the fields of law enforcement, policy research and behavioral health, along with several additional state and national associations have become partners in the Stepping Up Initiative. More information can be found at www.stepuptogether.org.

Recommendation

Staff recommends adopting this resolution and joining The Stepping Up Initiative.

Suggested Motion

Information/Discussion/Action to adopt Resolution 16-07-05 and to join with other counties, the National Association of Counties Organization, the Council of State Governments Justice Center, the American Psychiatric Foundation and the National Sheriffs' Association in support of The Stepping Up Initiative. (Don McDaniel)

Attachments
Resolution No. 16-07-05