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Policy BriefUrge your members of Congress to support local efforts to reduce the number of individuals with mental health, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders in county jails by providing full funding for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) in the annual appropriations process. JMHCP was reauthorized for Fiscal Years (FYs) 2022 – 2026 through the bipartisan Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act (P.L. 117-323)at $54 million per year and should be funded at this level annually to maximize the impact of local efforts to address the prevalence of mental illness in the criminal justice system. JMHCP is currently funded at $45 million under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (P.L. 117-328).Support Local Efforts to Reduce Mental Illness in Jails
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Document
Support Local Efforts to Reduce Mental Illness in Jails
ACTION NEEDED:
Urge your members of Congress to support local efforts to reduce the number of individuals with mental health, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders in county jails by providing full funding for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) in the annual appropriations process. JMHCP was reauthorized for Fiscal Years (FYs) 2022 – 2026 through the bipartisan Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act (P.L. 117-323)at $54 million per year and should be funded at this level annually to maximize the impact of local efforts to address the prevalence of mental illness in the criminal justice system. JMHCP is currently funded at $45 million under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (P.L. 117-328).
BACKGROUND:
Enacted by Congress in 2004, the JMHCP is a grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The grants, which are available to state, tribal and local governments, can be used to develop and implement programs designed to improve outcomes for individuals with mental health conditions who are involved in the criminal justice system. JMHCP was formerly referred to as the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA).
Collectively, state and local governments use these grants for a broad range of activities, including jail diversion programs, mental health courts, creating or expanding community-based treatment programs and providing in-jail treatment and transitional services. In addition, grant funds may be used to enhance training for criminal justice and mental health system personnel on how to appropriately respond to crises involving individuals with mental health disorders.
Under the 2016 reauthorization of JMHCP, the program’s scope was expanded to allow grant funds to be used for additional purposes related to addressing substance abuse, mental health or co-occurring disorders in the criminal justice system. Among these purposes is “sequential intercept mapping,” which aims to assess how individuals with mental illness flow through the criminal justice system and how they can be diverted from the system at different junctures.
Under the 2022 reauthorization, the program was expanded further to allow funds to be used for supporting mental health courts, crisis intervention teams (CITs), suicide prevention programs and services, case management services, and state and local implementation of the 988 suicide hotline.
JMHCP should be funded at the full authorization level to maximize the impact of the program in assisting local efforts to reduce mental illness and substance abuse in jails.
KEY TALKING POINTS:
- The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) is a grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that provides federal funding to assist state, local and tribal governments in their efforts to improve outcomes for individuals with mental health conditions who are involved in the criminal justice system.
- An estimated two million individuals with serious mental health conditions are booked into county jails each year, resulting in prevalence rates of serious mental conditions in jails that are three to six times higher than in the general population. An even greater number of individuals who are detained in jails each year have mental health problems that do not rise to the level of a serious mental health condition but may still require a resource-intensive response.
- Despite its $50 million authorization level, typically JMHCP has not been fully funded in the annual appropriations process. Currently, the program is receiving $45 million as appropriated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (P.L. 117-328). JMHCP should be fully funded at $54 million per year in up coming appropriations bill.
Urge your members of Congress to support local efforts to reduce the number of individuals with mental health, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders in county jails by providing full funding for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) in the annual appropriations process. JMHCP was reauthorized for Fiscal Years (FYs) 2022 – 2026 through the bipartisan Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act (P.L. 117-323)at $54 million per year and should be funded at this level annually to maximize the impact of local efforts to address the prevalence of mental illness in the criminal justice system. JMHCP is currently funded at $45 million under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (P.L. 117-328).2023-01-31Policy Brief2023-01-31
ACTION NEEDED:
Urge your members of Congress to support local efforts to reduce the number of individuals with mental health, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders in county jails by providing full funding for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) in the annual appropriations process. JMHCP was reauthorized for Fiscal Years (FYs) 2022 – 2026 through the bipartisan Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act (P.L. 117-323)at $54 million per year and should be funded at this level annually to maximize the impact of local efforts to address the prevalence of mental illness in the criminal justice system. JMHCP is currently funded at $45 million under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (P.L. 117-328).
BACKGROUND:
Enacted by Congress in 2004, the JMHCP is a grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The grants, which are available to state, tribal and local governments, can be used to develop and implement programs designed to improve outcomes for individuals with mental health conditions who are involved in the criminal justice system. JMHCP was formerly referred to as the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA).
Collectively, state and local governments use these grants for a broad range of activities, including jail diversion programs, mental health courts, creating or expanding community-based treatment programs and providing in-jail treatment and transitional services. In addition, grant funds may be used to enhance training for criminal justice and mental health system personnel on how to appropriately respond to crises involving individuals with mental health disorders.
Under the 2016 reauthorization of JMHCP, the program’s scope was expanded to allow grant funds to be used for additional purposes related to addressing substance abuse, mental health or co-occurring disorders in the criminal justice system. Among these purposes is “sequential intercept mapping,” which aims to assess how individuals with mental illness flow through the criminal justice system and how they can be diverted from the system at different junctures.
Under the 2022 reauthorization, the program was expanded further to allow funds to be used for supporting mental health courts, crisis intervention teams (CITs), suicide prevention programs and services, case management services, and state and local implementation of the 988 suicide hotline.
JMHCP should be funded at the full authorization level to maximize the impact of the program in assisting local efforts to reduce mental illness and substance abuse in jails.
KEY TALKING POINTS:
- The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) is a grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that provides federal funding to assist state, local and tribal governments in their efforts to improve outcomes for individuals with mental health conditions who are involved in the criminal justice system.
- An estimated two million individuals with serious mental health conditions are booked into county jails each year, resulting in prevalence rates of serious mental conditions in jails that are three to six times higher than in the general population. An even greater number of individuals who are detained in jails each year have mental health problems that do not rise to the level of a serious mental health condition but may still require a resource-intensive response.
- Despite its $50 million authorization level, typically JMHCP has not been fully funded in the annual appropriations process. Currently, the program is receiving $45 million as appropriated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (P.L. 117-328). JMHCP should be fully funded at $54 million per year in up coming appropriations bill.

About Brett Mattson (Full Bio)
Legislative Director – Justice & Public Safety | Gulf Coast Counties & Parishes Coalition
Brett joined NACo in May of 2018 and serves as legislative director for justice and public safety. In this role, Brett staffs NACo’s Justice and Public Safety Policy Steering Committee and works with county officials across the country to set organizational priorities and policies for justice and public safety issues that affect counties.More from Brett Mattson
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Policy Brief
Enhance Counties' Ability to Prevent and Treat Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
Urge your members of Congress to maintain consistent funding for substance use and mental health services provided through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and pass legislation that enhances counties’ ability to provide local systems of care. Future appropriations bills should meet or exceed FY 2022 funding levels, particularly for the Community Mental Health Services (MHBG) and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) block grants, which allow counties to direct resources to those with the most need. -
Policy Brief
Support Counties in Improving Health Services for Justice-Involved Individuals
Urge your members of Congress to support counties’ efforts to improve health services for justice-involved individuals and reduce the number of people with mental illness in jails. Specifically, urge your representatives on health-authorizing committees to support legislation that would allow individuals in custody to continue receiving Medicaid and other federal health benefits until they are convicted, sentenced and incarcerated; require states to suspend instead of terminate Medicaid for individuals in jails; and allow for comprehensive behavioral health services and the recruitment of health professionals in county jails. -
Policy Brief
Fund Local Crisis Response Efforts
Urge your members of Congress to appropriate Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 funding for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that is at or above the level of $101.6 million appropriated in FY 2022. -
Policy Brief
Enhance Counties' Ability to Prevent and Treat Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
ACTION NEEDED: -
Webinar
County Strategies to Recruit and Retain a Strong Behavioral Health Workforce
Jan. 26, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmUnable to attend? Watch the recording here.
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Local Strategies for Reaching Families and Young Children Experiencing Homelessness
February 8, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmExperiencing homelessness in early childhood can have long-term impacts on health, education and well-being for both children and parents. Homelessness among young children is often hidden, making it harder to collect accurate data and ensure that these children are connected to the services and resources they need.02082:00 pm<p>Experiencing homelessness in early childhood can have long-term impacts on health, education and well-being for both children and parents.
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Webinar
Reducing Jail Populations: Decreasing Bookings and/or Arrests through Diversion, Citations and Warrant Avoidance and Resolution
March 2, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmReducing the number of people arrested and booked into jails for low-level offenses and misdemeanors through diversion and citations, as well as outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court or not paying fines and fees, can help decrease jail populations by reserving detention beds for people who are a risk to public safety or a serious f03022:00 pm<p>Reducing the number of people arrested and booked into jails for low-level offenses and misdemeanors through diversion and citations, as well as outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court or not paying fines and fees, can h
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Webinar
Reducing Jail Populations: Lowering Recidivism through Jail- and Community-Based Treatment and Services
April 6, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmReducing recidivism through effective jail- and community-based services can decrease jail admissions and populations and improve outcomes for people with criminal histories.04062:00 pm<p>Reducing recidivism through effective jail- and community-based services can decrease jail admissions and populations and improve outcomes for people with criminal histories.</p>
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The Stepping Up Initiative
In May 2015, NACo and partners at the CSG Justice Center and APA Foundation launched Stepping Up: A National Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails.pagepagepage<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out">
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Justice & Public Safety Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to criminal justice and public safety systems, including criminal justice planning, law enforcement, courts, corrections, homeland security, community crime prevention, juvenile justice and delinquency prevention, emergency management, fire prevention and control, and civil disturbances.pagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to criminal justice and public safety systems, including criminal justice planning, law enforcement, courts, corrections, homeland security, community crime prevention, juvenile justice and delinquency preven
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Reports & Toolkits
Opioid Solutions Center
NACo’s Opioid Solutions Center empowers local leaders to invest resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and harm reduction practices that save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorder.Reports & Toolkitsdocument10123:30 pmReports & Toolkits<p>NACo's Opioid Solutions Center empowers local leaders to invest resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and harm reduction practices that save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorder.
Contact
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Legislative Director – Justice & Public Safety | Gulf Coast Counties & Parishes Coalition(202) 942-4234
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Policy BriefEnhance Counties' Ability to Prevent and Treat Mental Illness and Substance Use DisordersFeb. 1, 2023
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8Feb2023Webinar
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