Criminal justice & behavioral health services
According to the American Psychological Association, mental illness among today鈥檚 inmates is pervasive, with 50 percent or more of jail and state prison inmates nationwide reporting a mental health concern. Substance misuse is also common and often occurs alongside a mental health issue.
海角社区 offers both specialized training for law enforcement officers, as well as mental health and substance misuse care designed for those involved in the criminal or juvenile justice systems.
Crisis intervention training (CIT) for law enforcement
海角社区’s Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) program equips law enforcement professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively recognize and respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises. The 40-hour training program emphasizes de-escalation, safety and appropriate referrals to treatment services.
More than 1,100 officers proudly wear their Eagle pins while on duty, showing that they have graduated from crisis intervention training.
Through CIT, officers learn how to:
- Recognize signs of mental illness
- Respond safely during behavioral health crises
- Utilize de-escalation techniques
- Connect individuals with treatment resources
- Reduce unnecessary arrests and incarceration
- Strengthen community partnerships
For more information about crisis intervention training, call 850-490-4349.
Working with law enforcement agencies
In addition to training, 海角社区 collaborates with our agency partners within law enforcement to provide behavioral health care and substance misuse treatment to those in the criminal justice system. This includes:
- Coordinating with jail staff to minimize disruption to treatment for current clients and to facilitate access to treatment for new clients
- Working with courts to secure conditional releases for non-violent offenders so that they may receive treatment
- Providing oversight and treatment within the community for clients whose felony cases resulted in findings of 鈥渘ot guilty by reason of insanity鈥 or 鈥漣ncompetent to proceed鈥
- Working to restore competency for clients with felonies who do not require incarceration or admission to a Florida state hospital
Helping juvenile justice clients
海角社区’s Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities (TASC) program supports youth involved in the juvenile justice system through behavioral health and substance misuse assessments, referrals and ongoing case monitoring.
Working closely with the Department of Juvenile Justice, courts, probation officers and community treatment providers, TASC helps identify appropriate services and supports that encourage positive youth development and reduce future justice involvement.
Services include:
- Mental health assessments
- Substance misuse evaluations
- Treatment referrals
- Case monitoring
- Court recommendations
- Family and community resource connections
