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Last May, the Johnson County Attorney's Office and Abbe Regional Mental Health Center in Iowa City launched the state's first civil mental health court to monitor outpatient mental health patients and connect them with treatment and care to support independent living. Ta.
This two-year pilot program is similar to other “outpatient treatment support” programs that provide an advocate and a team of mental health professionals to support participants. Civil courts are based on many other models in different states.
A working group to establish the Iowa City Program began researching and planning the courthouse in 2019. Assistant Johnson County Attorney Lynn Rose told the Gazette last year that the specialized court would provide guidance and support to help participants stay out of the hospital or jail. One's own within the community.
Assistant Johnson County Prosecutor Lynn Rose stands in front of a portrait on the roof of the Midwest One Bank Building in Iowa City on April 10, 2023, with, from left, U.S. Attorney Don Schroeder and Court Coordinator Carey.・Mr. Crane. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)
There are 39 other specialty courts in Iowa that have treatment teams in place for participants. But these people commit criminal acts and end up in court rather than drugs, intoxicated surgery, domestic violence, veterans, or mental health (limited to four northwest counties).
“Typically, upon release from hospitalization, medications are given to manage mental health symptoms. However, some people do not take their medications properly and complete follow-up treatment due to these issues.” said Rose. “The courts will bridge this gap.”
Participants in this program are outpatients with a primary diagnosis of mental illness. This court does not accept individuals with prior criminal charges or convictions.
Iowa City attorney Don Schroeder was hired as a judicial admissions judge, or court judge, in March 2023. The court began accepting referrals in May 2023. Participants began attending court once a week and were responsible for helping a team of health care providers maintain access to medication regimens, treatment appointments, and other community services.
Rhodes previously said weekly court helps track their progress so they can make adjustments before problems arise. Most he stays in court for 15 to 18 months.
The team of providers includes University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City Veterans Affairs Hospital, Abbe Center, GuideLink Center, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Shelter House, and several mental health service agencies in the county.
East Central Regional Mental Health/Disability Services. National Treatment Advocacy Center nonprofit organization. Johnson County Sheriff's Office. The Iowa Attorney General's Office also supports the pilot program.
Trials do not take place in courthouses. Instead, it will be held at the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building.
what has happened since then
Rose said the program had been “challenging but rewarding” in its first year.
“We identified a gap in service for some of our clients, which is good because we were able to provide the service they needed and at least start the process,” Rose said. “Many of our participants needed help enrolling in Medicaid, and we found that to be a problem.”
Rose said case managers at other agencies are busy and don't always have enough time to deal with complex Medicaid paperwork. Ultimately, the court would like to have a full-time licensed social worker who can help with the paperwork and also handle insurance issues for participants.
Rose said the court had a slow start, but had 12 participants since May 2023, which was as expected. Seven participants are still in the program, and five have been discharged. Unfortunately, not all five were successful, she said.
One student successfully graduated and is now living independently in the community. The graduate continues to receive aftercare and has a “community team” that includes service providers from the Abbe Center and his UIHC.
Two other participants are expected to graduate within the next few months, Rose said. Additionally, two participants were released and disqualified as they had received prison sentences.
Mr Rose said the court had received 28 inquiries into the program overall. UIHC referred 12 of his names, five of which were accepted. Five people came from the prison diversion program and three were hospitalized. All four patients from Abbe Center Integrated Home Health Care were hospitalized. Four people are from a Chatham Oaks residential care facility and one person is hospitalized. Three were from other providers and one was approved.
Roughly 90% of participants have a mental health diagnosis and substance use issues, Rose said. Those who are most successful in this type of mental health court or outpatient assisted treatment are those diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression, which leads to psychosis or psychosis.
Although the court does not accept people with prior criminal charges, participants already in the program may face charges related to their conduct based on mental illness. Rose said hospitalizations and incarceration among participants have decreased, indicating the program's positive impact.
Psychiatric hospitalizations for each participant decreased by 81 percent, according to court data. Before joining the court he was 129, but after joining the program he was reduced to 24.
Total jail days decreased from 18 days in court to seven days during the program, according to the data.
Rose said other counties and mental health regions in Iowa are interested in using Johnson County's outpatient treatment support model to launch their own mental health courts. But Rose said the Johnson County Courthouse is concerned about future funding.
This project is funded by the East Central Iowa Mental Health Region through June 30, 2025. Mental health regions may then change under the Legislature's proposal, House File 2673, but she doesn't know what will happen with that change. .
“We are working with prisons to explore further ways to identify individuals who may benefit from participation in mental health courts,” Mr Rose said.
KoComments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com
