Martin county is located along the treasure coast of florida, with a population of more than 160,000

This federal Project Grant award of $450,000.00 was provided by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) under the Criminal and Juvenile Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (CFDA 16.745). The grant supports the Martin County Mental Health Court Program, which aims to divert offenders with mental illness and co-occurring disorders from incarceration into treatment and support services. The program will incorporate a 6 to 12-month aftercare phase, increasing case management and wrap-around services to help participants reintegrate into the community. Funding will be used to hire an aftercare case manager and a peer support specialist to enhance program operations. The project period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

Martin countys mental health court program serves a suburban area and aims to divert offenders with mental illness and CO-occurring disorders from traditional incarceration into treatment and support services that will help to rehabilitate them. Martin county aims to incorporate a 6 to 12-month aftercare phase for the program by increasing the case management and wrap-around services available to affording participants the opportunity to continue receiving vital services and supports as they reintegrate into society. The program also aims to enhance operations by hiring an aftercare case manager and a peer support specialist. Martin county mental health court identifies members of this high-risk, high-needs target population through assessments, criminal history, and fulfillment of eligibility criteria among offenders. Staff utilize evidence-based practices for mental health court eligibility to address any underrepresentation of minorities in the program as compared to the arrestee population at large. Individuals identified as candidates for the program complete a risk assessment survey to determine if they are a good fit for the program.