Kansas City Municipal Mental Health Court Hon. John B. Williams, Judge Kansas City Municipal Court

Kansas Citys Mental Health Court Brief History… 2001: Appointed Commission Designed with municipal and circuit courts Designed with municipal and circuit courts Initial Study of jail inmates at MCI Initial Study of jail inmates at MCI

History Continued 2002: Operations began with support from COMBAT and Mental Health Levy. Monitoring Monitoring Defense: Legal Aid Defense: Legal Aid External Evaluation External Evaluation

How It Works Problem-Solving Courts: Conference of Chief Justices Problem-Solving Courts: Conference of Chief Justices Voluntary Voluntary Diversion Program: Community-Based Diversion Program: Community-Based Pre-Adjudication, Pre-Trial, Pre-Plea Pre-Adjudication, Pre-Trial, Pre-Plea Case dismissed if client completes program Case dismissed if client completes program

How It Works Offense; Case Filed Offense; Case Filed Detected as potential for Mental Health Court from many sources. Detected as potential for Mental Health Court from many sources. KCMO Police Dept Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) Judge, Prosecutor Victim / Witness Case Worker Attorney

How It Works Legal Aid attorney may be assigned Legal Aid attorney may be assigned Program explained same day Program explained same day Determination of Eligibility: Prior criminal history, severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) Determination of Eligibility: Prior criminal history, severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) Evaluation or plea Evaluation or plea Monthly court visits Monthly court visits Monitoring treatment and compliance Monitoring treatment and compliance Minimum 6 months, average 11 months Minimum 6 months, average 11 months

Our clients Overall Statistics through 2008

Mental Health Court Outcomes Nearly 2000 clients referred since 2002; about 1,200 entered. Nearly 2000 clients referred since 2002; about 1,200 entered. 380 graduated; 380 graduated; 150 are currently active 150 are currently active Most clients have about 3 pending charges Most clients have about 3 pending charges

Mental Health Court Outcomes

The Future of Mental Health Court Integrate new treatment and changes at MCI Integrate new treatment and changes at MCI Build on City-County collaboration and share expertise. Build on City-County collaboration and share expertise. Higher risk clients Higher risk clients