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Blueprint for Contracting for Mental Health Services for Jail Detainees With Mental Illnesses

NCJ Number
174063
Author(s)
H J Steadman; B M Veysey; S Morris
Date Published
Unknown
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This paper describes roles and responsibilities of jails and mental health service agencies in providing care of jail detainees with mental illnesses.
Abstract
The document contains basic principles guiding provision of services, core elements in developing formal agreements, and a model contract. Prior to contracting for jail inmate mental health services, parties involved should reach agreement on: integration of services, the main goal, essential services, characteristics and needs of those being served, resources needed, outcomes desired, potential barriers, and public misconceptions. Core elements of jail mental health services include: integrated services at the community level, regular meetings of all key players, boundary spanners who link the judicial, correctional and mental health components, court-based or jail-based diversion programs, and the essential mental health services of screening, evaluation, crisis intervention and discharge planning. The paper includes a sample comprehensive contract as well as a sample shorter interagency agreement. Appendixes