Mental Health Diversion Services
The Mental Health Diversion Program (MHDP) is a voluntary pre-sentencing program. Individuals suspected of having a serious mental illness can be referred for assessment via multiple pathways, to include the Judge, Defensive Attorney, Sherriff’s Office, Commonwealth Attorney and community providers. Referrals are assessed by clinical staff, and clinical information is presented to the Judge. If the Judge determines the individual is eligible for programming the participant works conjointly with the diversion case manager to develop a release plan that includes linkage to entitlements and referrals to resources, medication management and psychiatric services. The Judge orders the participant be placed on bond with the expectation they will follow all the requirements stipulated in the release plan. The participant appears before the court, as determined by the Judge, for status updates on their progress and participation in programming. The participant receives case management, clinical services, psychiatric services and peer services for the duration of their participation in the MHDP. Participants are referred to long term services once their court case is resolved. To be eligible for the program the participant must be diagnosed with a serious mental illness, be competent, be willing to engage in all recommended treatment, be assessed to be in the action stage of change, live in the Greater Richmond region, and be charged with nonviolent offenses.
For a complete description please see the link below.