Grants in this targeted area should aim to:

• Increase access to diversion, early interventions, competency restoration, and other opportunities to redirect people with mental health and substance use disorders away from the criminal justice system
• Bridge the gap between incarceration and release
• Improve behavioral health information and data sharing with first responders

Possible strategies to improve behavioral health systems in criminal justice:

• Embed behavioral health supports in courtrooms, jails, and halfway houses
• Increase education and engagement around family support 
• Create incentives for seeking behavioral health treatment during incarceration
• Increase co-responders, diversify the workforce, and provide more training
• Place behavioral health staff in strategic areas (i.e. shelters, food banks, places individuals are already attending)
• Expand Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), Naloxone availability, and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment

Gary A. Darling Grant Award

Behavioral Health Services will award the Gary A. Darling Grant to one stand-out program/project that applies for a Targeted Grant: Alternatives & Interventions in Criminal Justice.