The Jail-Based Behavioral Health Services program is designed to provide comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) care for individuals incarcerated within the Lake County Jail. This program aims to address the behavioral health needs of individuals in a secure and supportive environment, with a focus on early intervention, stabilization, and seamless transition to services within the jail, as well as community-based services upon release.
Jail-Based Behavioral Health Benefits:
The Jail-Based Behavioral Health Services program seeks to deliver services by appropriately licensed individuals to support rehabilitation efforts, stabilize symptoms, improve outcomes, reduce recidivism, and promote overall well-being, both during incarceration and after release.
The Jail Treatment Program (JTP) provides evidence-based interventions to incarcerated individuals struggling with substance use disorders (SUDs). The program aims to reduce recidivism, promote long-term recovery, and support successful reintegration into the community. By addressing the underlying causes of addiction and equipping participants with coping skills, the program fosters behavioral change, improves mental health outcomes, and reduces the likelihood of future criminal activity.
The program is available to incarcerated individuals diagnosed with a substance use disorder who demonstrate a willingness to engage in treatment. Eligibility is determined through a comprehensive screening and assessment process. It is the intent of this program that, whenever possible, treatment should occur during the final thirty-day period of an individual’s sentence.
Treatment services are delivered by licensed counselors and social workers. The program operates in alignment with the standards set by the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (ODBH), and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
Jail Treatment Program Benefits
The Jail Treatment Program is a crucial component in breaking the cycle of addiction and incarceration. By providing:
In response to the increased volume of referrals identified by the Lake County Common Pleas Courts and Lake County Adult Probation, the Center provides comprehensive assessments for individuals referred by the Common Pleas Courts prior to sentencing. The Forensic Assessment Specialist collaborates with judges, court personnel, probation, and other community partners to evaluate an individual’s mental health, substance use, treatment needs, and other relevant factors. These evaluations help reduce duplication in the assessment process and provide the courts with evidence-based information to support informed sentencing and treatment recommendations.
The Forensic Assessment Specialist also provides consultation to the courts, as requested, and helps facilitate connections to appropriate Lake County treatment providers. This may include assisting with referrals, intake, assessment, and admission to treatment services, helping individuals transition more efficiently from the court process into appropriate care.
Upon release from Lake County Jail or direct referral from the Lake County Municipal courts, individuals with Opiate Use Disorder are provided Medication Assisted Treatment (Vivitrol, Suboxone, or Sublocade injections or oral naltrexone) and evidenced based treatment services through Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers.
Benefits:
Program Description:
The Mental Health Court Liaison Program serves as a vital bridge between the criminal justice system and behavioral health services, ensuring that individuals with mental health conditions receive the care and support they need. The liaison works closely with the Lake County Mental Health Court, identifying individuals in need of services, facilitating access to treatment, and advocating for rehabilitative alternatives to incarceration.
Benefits:
By integrating mental health treatment into court proceedings, this program helps individuals achieve stability while supporting the justice system in adopting a treatment-focused approach for those with psychiatric and emotional disorders.
By fostering collaboration between the courts and the behavioral health system, this program ensures that individuals receive timely, evidence-based care while promoting a more rehabilitative approach to justice.
