7FADDC517EEA3E46872582CD00678864 Hearing Summary

Dr. Danielle Weittenhiller, Office of Behavioral Health, Department of Human Services (DHS), presented to the committee and distributed a handout (Attachment C).

Dr. Weittenhiller described the Restoring Indivuduals Safely and Effectively (RISE) program and its goals.  She explained that the program is intended to restore individuals to competency within a certain time frame.

Dr. Weittenhiller explained that the target population for RISE are individuals who are not imminent threats to themselves and for whom community restoration is not an option.  She noted that RISE participants are male only, and kept separate from the rest of the jail population.

Dr. Weittenhiller described the expansion of the RISE program offerings and available beds in recent years.  She described RISE admissions by county, and explained that Correct Care is the vendor for the program.

Bureau Chief Vince Line, Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, described how deputies are hired to work in the RISE program, and noted that the office hires internally for these positions.  He explained that officers must express interest in working in the program.  Chief Line noted that deputies must undergo Crisis Intervention Training, mental health awareness training, and training through Correct Care in order to work in the program.  

Dr. Weittenhiller provided data on admissions and reasons for discharge from the program.  She discussed the average length of time it takes to restore RISE participants.

Dr. Weittenhiller responded to questions on the number of persons determined incompetent and the status of additional beds for restorations and evaluations.

Dr. Weittenhiller discussed the benefits of expanding the RISE program, challenges and expenses associated with expanding restoration services, services for female inmates, and the youth services curriculum.  She explained that the RISE program is the only such jail-based program that DHS oversees.

Bureau Chief Line and Dr. Weittenhiller responded to questions regarding replicating the RISE program in other county jails and detention centers.  Dr. Weittenhiller discussed Wisconsin's jail based restoration program and commented on Senate Bill 18-252, in response to a question.