Archives & Resources

The launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a critical step in building a fully resourced crisis continuum of care, often described as a three-legged stool: “someone to call,” “someone to come,” and “somewhere to go.” Participants shared developing strategies and solutions in each of these areas, discussed California’s plans to build a robust behavioral health crisis response system, and heard from those building the required technical infrastructure to ensure that anyone who contacts 988 receives the appropriate services when needed.

Leaders and stakeholders discussed successful outreach and engagement; whole person care and continuum of care programs that provide housing; California’s exciting opportunity to build a robust crisis response system that includes Crisis Now and 988 integration; and wellness for first responders.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the behavioral health of individuals involved with the criminal justice system in California. Discussions focused on reducing disparities and inequities by centering racial equity, cultural responsiveness, system connectedness, and lived experience. From housing to mobile outreach, participants discussed innovative approaches and lessons learned to improve outcomes for populations with complex needs, such as people experiencing homelessness.

Interactive discussions centered on effective programs using Medication-Assisted Treatment [MAT] and long-acting medications, combined with specifically designed analytics, to reduce interaction with the criminal justice system for people diagnosed with behavioral health issues. Best practices included the acclaimed national model, examples from Ohio and Oakland, and California’s successful Street Health Program, bringing mental health care to those who need it most.

Sessions highlighted the importance of building trust and reducing siloes to improve the effectiveness of supportive systems to address interconnected risk factors for recidivism among people with mental illness. Discussion centered on criminal justice diversion for individuals with mental health or substance abuse issues, with a focus on the Incompetent to Stand Trial (IST) population, felony diversion, and housing.

Attendees explored a wide range of topics including strategies to support behavioral wellness for first responders and custody officials, as well as reducing the criminalization of individuals with severe mental health needs, including the Incompetent to Stand Trail Population. Best practices and innovative programs took center stage as leaders addressed the importance of integrated service initiatives, lessons learned from Ontario, Canada, Riverside, San Francisco, and Los Angeles Counties, and the launch of the MHSOAC Innovation Incubator.

The Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission presented its Criminal Justice and Mental Health Project Report, Together We Can, highlighting the findings and recommendations from the Criminal Justice Subcommittee’s 18-month exploration of the intersection of mental illness and criminal justice. This Words to Deeds convening focused on moving from “one-offs’ to full system change. Leaders shared innovative pilot programs and funding opportunities as well as how to implement long-term changes and sustainability.

This year’s convening featured speakers from the White House Data-Driven Justice Initiative (WHDDJI), including experts responsible for updating the national HIPAA policy. Additionally, best practices were elevated across a range of topics, contributing to presentations and discussions on the Adult Mentally Ill Offender Crime Reduction grant program, data-driven decision-making, the Whole Person Care Initiative, No Place Like Home, juvenile justice, veterans, legal and law enforcement professional education and systems change, and the national Stepping Up program.

Leaders in the nationwide Stepping Up movement presented nationally recognized best practices from their areas. Judicial leaders and policy experts offered an update on California’s statewide efforts and progress. Breakout sessions focused on juvenile justice, best practices from the Mentally Ill Offender Crime Reduction Act counties’ grant programs, and how to generate political will to create meaningful collaboration among county leaders.

Updates from Miami-Dade, California’s statewide efforts, as well as the Judges’ Leadership Initiative, a project of the Council of State Governments in partnership with the American Psychiatric Foundation, were showcased during this year’s convening. State and local experts generated an interactive discussion on realignment and recovery issues. Additional breakout sessions included: leveraging funding for maximum benefit; opportunities to manage overall health costs under the Affordable Care Act; creative use of data; and developing a collaborative plan.

In January 2013, Words to Deeds inaugurated the Paradigm Awards, recognizing and celebrating leaders in criminal justice and mental health who champion efforts to end the criminalization of individuals with mental illness by supporting proven strategies that promote early intervention, access to effective treatments, a planned reentry, and the preservation of public safety.

Launching the November 2013 Words to Deeds program, Santa Clara County Judge Richard Loftus, Chair of the California Judicial Council’s Mental Health Issues Implementation Task Force, and Judge Steven Leifman, from Miami-Dade County, Florida, and the Council of State Governments Justice Leadership Initiative, inspired “first adapter” attendees from statewide mental health and justice systems to pursue collaborative leadership and achieve their problem-solving goals.

Speakers elevated collaboration across diverse topics and encouraged thought-provoking discussions among participants to bridge gaps further and build trust. The convening offered a rare opportunity to hear about plans to improve health care within corrections. Both the speakers and attendees gained a broadened perspective, and commitments were made to “co-create” viable plans for improved access to care. Roundtable discussions further brought action-forward plans, and the group brainstormed the future of Words to Deeds activities

Decision-makers addressed common challenges in reentry that contribute to recidivism for people with mental illness. Closer collaboration among law enforcement and clinicians shared costs among corrections and counties, a new decision-making tool, and more were highlighted as possible solutions. Additional breakout groups explored collaboration between the judiciary, corrections agencies, and local government to improve outcomes; communicating the value of diversion to impact funding decisions; re-entry and linkages to community care; and meeting the needs of diverse populations

Leaders in criminal justice and behavioral health examined best practices from across the state that promote early intervention, access to effective treatments, planned reentry, and the preservation of public safety. Through engaging presentations and discussions, attendees gained practical tips for accessing existing funding opportunities and gleaned insights on how to develop effective partnerships and collaborations to facilitate jail diversion.

Building on lessons learned in jail diversion and interdisciplinary collaboration from prior convenings, attendees examined how evidence-based data can be developed to demonstrate to policymakers and funding authorities the success and cost-effectiveness of programs for people with mental illness involved in the criminal justice system. Featuring best practices from Mental Health Courts, engaging discussions centered on actionable insights to help shape future policy and funding decisions.

Attendees gathered to explore solutions to the growing challenge of people with mental illness becoming involved with the criminal justice system and cycling in and out of jail. The group engaged in collaborative problem-solving to address these challenges by diving into four specific areas for effective jail diversion: pre-incarceration, diversion at time of arrest, in-jail treatment, and re-entry. Decision-makers and policy leaders walked away with practical ideas to implement positive change in their areas of work.

Policymakers and leaders in criminal justice and behavioral health examined creative solutions to the joint problems facing county mental health, human services, and law enforcement agencies amidst a budget crisis in California. Attendees discussed how existing resources can be maximized through lessons learned from effective partnerships and collaboration to decriminalize mental illness, and effectively support people with behavioral health needs. In addition, attendees identified nontraditional funding sources to support this critical work.