Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 5/7/2019
Item Status: New
From: Commissioner Billie Jo Underwood, District 3
Submitted by: Keri E. Green, Administrative Support Specialist
______________________________________________________________________
ITEM TITLE
Title
Resolution #2019-081 - Stepping Up Initiative: A National Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails
Body
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution #2019-081 of the Baldwin County Commission which supports the Stepping Up Initiative: A National Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails.
End
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Previous Commission action/date: N/A
Background: The Stepping Up Initiative is a National Initiative to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in jails. An estimated two million people with serious mental illnesses - almost three-quarters of whom also have substance use disorders - are booked into local jails each year. Federal and state policy and funding barriers, along with limited opportunities for law enforcement training and arrest alternatives in many communities, have made county and other local jails the de facto mental health hospitals for people who cannot access appropriate community-based mental health treatment and services.
Recognizing the critical role officials play in supporting system change, the National Association of Counties (NACo), the American Psychiatric Association Foundation and The Council of State Governments Justice Center launched the Stepping Up Initiative in May 2015. Stepping up is a national movement to provide counties with the tools they need to develop cross-systems, data-driven strategies that can lead to measurable reductions in the number of people with mental illnesses and co-occurring disorders in jails. More than 425 counties have passed a resolution or proclamation to participate in the initiative.
The Leadership Baldwin County, Mental Health Project team, along with members of the Baldwin Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), have requested that the Baldwin County Commission adopt a Resolution in support of the Call to Action to support the Stepping Up Initiative.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: N/A
Budget line item(s) to be used: N/A
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
N/A
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: N/A
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): N/A
Additional instructions/notes: Members of Leadership Baldwin County and the Baldwin Chapter of NAMI will be in attendance at the Commission Meeting to accept the Resolution.