An award of $700,000 for adult programs will be used to enhance and sustain Project AIM (Alternatives to Incarceration) which is designed to divert individuals with mental illness from the criminal justice system to community-based treatment systems, including integrated mental health services, substance abuse treatment and appropriate support services.

Grants amounting to $988,602 have been awarded for juvenile programs, which include $700,000 for a program in Woodland and $288,602 for a program in West Sacramento.

"These 'first ever' juvenile MIOCR grants will allow us to deliver evidence based mental health services to minors and their families within Woodland and West Sacramento," said Don Meyer, Yolo County chief probation officer.

"It should allow us to more accurately diagnose the mental health of our juvenile offenders and provide them with necessary mental health treatment. We anticipate this will reduce the use of detention of mentally ill minors and will greatly enhance their recovery and result in less recidivism for that population."

"This will enable Yolo County to make tremendous strides toward ending the criminalization of mental illness," said Barry Melton, public defender.

"Obtaining these MIOCR grants will add synergy to our Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63) programs," said Tom Pinizzotto, Yolo County Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services director. "This would not have been possible without the strong commitment and collaboration of all our partners, including the District Attorney, the Public Defender, the Health Department, the Sheriff, local police and our partner community-based organizations."

Source: The Woodland Daily Democrat