Title
Recognizing and honoring the First Judicial District's Mental Health Court, one of Pennsylvania's most significant re-entry programs, on the occasion of the program's 10th Anniversary.
Body
WHEREAS, The First Judicial District's Mental Health Court of the Court of Common Pleas is Pennsylvania's first re-entry Mental Health Court; and
WHEREAS, Mental Health Court provides an alternative to incarceration for non-violent offenders with mental illness and co-occurring disorders by preparing them for re-entry into more effective treatments in supervised community settings. The program provides a team of court staff and mental health professionals that work together to screen, assess and supervise individuals, and develop treatment plans; and
WHEREAS, Mental Health Court began formal operations in July 2009, under the supervision of the Honorable Sheila Woods-Skipper, President Judge Emeritus. The program was developed through collaborative efforts of numerous City agencies and criminal justice stakeholders as a targeted effort to support individuals with serious mental illnesses, such as Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, among others; and
WHEREAS, For 10 years, Mental Health Court has continued to facilitate the re-entry of returning citizens into community treatment settings; provide treatment, housing benefits and community support to participants; reduce recidivism among individuals with mental illness; and bolster effective communication between Philadelphia's criminal justice and mental health systems. The program's stakeholders have seen a rate of recidivism of approximately 10 percent amongst those who have completed the program; and
WHEREAS, The success of Mental Health Court has only been possible, because of the individualized approach towards care that the program offers, which is a crucial aspect of the program and a primary focus of the original working group, chaired by Judge Renee Caldwell Hughes, and consisting of represen...
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