Report Shows the Success of Jail Diversion Programs in Oakland County

A recent report released by Michigan’s Mental Health Diversion Council (MHDC) in partnership with Michigan State University’s Data and Evaluation Team is being used by Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) to provide baseline data and information about the success of its jail diversion pilot and to facilitate planning for future diversion activities.

“This report demonstrates how education and training for law enforcement can help to minimize arrests of those in the midst of a mental health crisis,” said OCHN Executive Director and CEO, Willie Brooks. “The data compiled will help us to continue to improve our efforts in diverting people from jail and into the valuable supports and services.”

The MHDC funds various pilots to initiate innovative ways to divert people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities from incarceration. The goal of the pilots is to gather data in an attempt to replicate preferred practices throughout the state.

The 2017 Baseline Data Report covers eight current pilot initiatives (including Oakland County’s) and provides baseline data and information to the Diversion Council as well as those pilot communities. The report focuses on three main areas; prevalence of serious mental illness in jails, recidivism among individuals with serious mental illness, and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training.

A significant increase in the number of law enforcement drop-offs to OCHN’s 24-Hour Resource and Crisis Center is evidence that jail diversion efforts in Oakland County have been successful.

According to the report, there were 568 call reports involving an individual with a mental health issue in Oakland County in 2015. More than 450 of these individuals were taken to Common Ground by law enforcement; only 11% of individuals were incarcerated after being identified as having a mental health concern.

In 2015, OCHN increased its jail diversion programming by implementing CIT training in a partnership with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO).

Since then, 125 officers have participated in CIT training. These participants include OCSO deputies and sergeants, as well as officers and sergeants from local police departments throughout the county. Additionally, an abbreviated 8-hour CIT training has been provided to OCSO dispatch deputies.

“The findings in this report just confirms what we have already seen from previous data and outcomes,” says Cathie Yunker, administrator of Access and Acute Care. “The partnership between OCHN and local law enforcement is working and has resulted in a highly successful and impactful jail diversion program.”

To access the 2017 Statewide Jail Diversion Baseline Report, go to www.oaklandchn.org and follow the Pressroom link to Policies/Reports.

About OCHN

Oakland Community Health Network is the public mental health system responsible for identifying, influencing, and delivering services and supports to approximately 25,800 Oakland County residents, including individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, adults with mental illness, children with serious emotional disturbance, and persons with substance use disorders. Most of these individuals have Medicaid.

OCHN’s current network of service providers include: Common Ground, Community Housing Network, Community Living Services, Community Network Services, Easterseals Michigan, Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, Oakland Family Services, Inc., and Training and Treatment Innovations. A complete list of substance use service providers is available on OCHN’s website. For more information about OCHN call (800) 341-2003 or visitwww.oaklandchn.org.