The lummi nation's tribal court is collaborating with lummi behavioral health to implement a mental health court for its tribal citizens to address the increasing numbers of individuals encountering…

The Lummi Indian Business Council, a federally recognized tribal government, has been awarded a $550,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Criminal and Juvenile Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (CFDA 16.745). The grant will fund a three-year initiative by the Lummi Tribal Court and Lummi Behavioral Health to implement a Mental Health Court for tribal citizens experiencing mental health issues or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Key objectives include enhancing treatment support through a mental health clinician, reducing service gaps by employing peer support specialists, and ensuring equity and continuity through data collection. This collaborative program aims to improve public safety responses and outcomes for Lummi Nation members facing mental health challenges.

The lummi nation's tribal court is collaborating with lummi behavioral health to implement a mental health court for its tribal citizens to address the increasing numbers of individuals encountering the criminal justice system with mental health illnesses or CO-occurring mental health illnesses and substance use disorders. The three objectives of the program include: (1) enhance treatment support through the use of a licensed mental health clinician who employs validated instruments to screen, assess, and refer individuals to services as well as creating integrated treatment plans; (2) reduce service gaps by employing peer support specialist with lived experience, to increase program participant use of wraparound services; and (3) ensure the equity and continuity of a comprehensive, collaborative program by creating a data collection and analysis plan. There are no planned conference activities for the recommended award.