0B33FDA63C666F938725874300687CEA Hearing Summary

The committee came back to order. 

Aimee Janvrin, Director of Mainstream Services, Behavioral Management System, presented on mental health diversion programs in Rapid City, South Dakota. She discussed how her organization reaches out to people experiencing homelessness, the crisis care center, and the mental health diversion court operating in the area. Ms. Janvrin responded to questions about the service area of her organization, the operation of the mental health diversion courts and crisis care centers, and data collection related to the cost-savings of the diversion program.

Chris Richardson, Associate Director of Criminal Justice Services, Mental Health Center of Denver, presented on the Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) Program, which deploys an emergency response team to address people experiencing mental health crisis. He discussed the Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) Program in Oregon that the STARS Program is modeled after. Mr. Richardson discussed the services that the STAR Program provides.

Kara Martin, Mental Health Diversion Program Coordinator, Office of the State Court Administrator, presented on the Mental Health Diversion Program, which was a pilot program. She provided a handout to the committee (Attachment F). She discussed the impacts that COVID-19 had on the mental health diversion pilot program. Ms. Martin reviewed how the mental health diversion program operated. She reviewed the recommendations from the pilot program, including involving all critical stakeholders early on in the process and maximizing points of entry. Ms. Martin also highlighted the importance of case management beyond compliance monitoring.

Ms. Martin explained the differences between the mental health diversion program and the adult diversion program.

Captain Jamison Brown, President, Colorado Jail Association, and Denver County Sheriff's Office, presented on a diversion center being established in Denver.

Mr. Richardson responded to questions about the impact of workforce shortages on the STAR Program and potential cost-savings the program can offer. Captain Brown and Ms. Martin responded to question about diversion programs, including potential next steps for the mental health diversion program. In response to a question, Mr. Richardson discussed the need for dispatch training to evaluate what type of response should be dispatched to a crisis situation.

In response to a question, Captain Brown further described the diversion center that is being established in Denver.