Gbmh early diversion grant project - the gbmh early diversion grant program will serve adults and youth with SMI, SUD, SED, and COD in grant and blackford counties in northern indiana

Grant blackford mental health (DBA radiant health) will implement the follow strategies for early diversion: (1) employ three early diversion coordinators (one for blackford county, one for grant county youth, and one for grant county mental health court) to provide case coordination and legal advocacy for clients with mental health and substance use disorders; (2) collaborate with the local jrac to create a behavioral health partnership workgroup to coordinate early diversion services; (3) expand crisis services through the addition of a 24/7 mobile crisis team and a new crisis stabilization unit where individuals in crisis can be diverted; and (4) train local law enforcement and court personnel on mental health first aid, QPR, and CIT to ensure a trauma-informed and culturally-responsive approach to justice-involved individuals with mental health disorders. Project goals include increasing the number of justice-involved clients who are diverted from jail, increasing the number of clients who encounter mental health professionals alongside law enforcement; and increasing awareness and capacity of law enforcement and court officials to provide services to the target populations. The number of individuals served will begin with 50 in the first year and reach 200 by year 5.