11/19/12 - A grant renewal accepted by the county last week will maintain funding for the 53rd District Court Intensive Treatment Mental Health Court. Suspects who are convicted and found to have a mental illness that brings them into conflict with the law can be sent to the mental health court, which gives the judge the option to assign treatment as an alternative to incarceration. It is one of just six mental health courts in the state, but Community Mental Health Services Executive Director Mac Miller, who is retiring next month after 36 years at the agency, says there are aspirations to eventually make mental health courts available across Michigan. Of the roughly $94,000 accepted by the county for the court, about $40,000 will go to Community Mental Health for its services in evaluating and providing treatment to patients. Treatment offered through the program depends on the judge ordering it but can include psychiatric treatment, compliance with prescribed medications, outpatient groups, and treatments for drug addiction if necessary. About a dozen people go through Livingston Countyâs mental health court every year depending on the number of people who qualify for and agree to participate in the program. (TD)
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