Denver County Court Receives $1 Million Caring for Denver Grant to Expand Resources for Adults with Behavioral Health Needs;
Grant Funds will be Spread Across Specialty Court Programs.
Denver County Court today announced that thanks to a new $1 million dollar grant from the Caring for Denver Foundation, adults with behavioral health needs will have better and more equitable access to community support and services regardless of charge type. A growing body of research shows that when we treat the underlying cause(s) that brought a person into the justice system; that person, the system, and the community are more successful.
“This is about compassion and providing the necessary services to the most vulnerable and high needs population. Ultimately, the goal is to get people the comprehensive help they need to reduce any further contact with the legal system and improve community safety and quality of life for all,” said Denver County Court Presiding Judge Kerri Lombardi. “Thanks to the people of Denver, this Caring for Denver grant will help us move towards a public health response for dealing with this high-needs population.”
The Caring for Denver funds will be awarded over two years and spread across five Denver County Court Specialty Programs: the new Competency Support Docket, the Forensic Peer Navigator Program, Competency Diversion, Sobriety Court, and HEM Program. The grant will help fund wraparound services for these programs and implement best practices for treatment which rely on interagency collaboration to provide more consistent and coordinated care.
Denver County Court will track quantitative and qualitative data to ensure consistency in the data collected and to spot gaps and trends.
“We’re excited to partner with Denver County Courts to ensure Denverites receive the vital care they deserve. The courts are expanding access to care, emphasizing an innovative problem-solving model that connects people to the right services and supports to reduce further contact with the legal system,” said Lorez Meinhold, Executive Director of Caring for Denver. “People grappling with mental health and substance misuse challenges deserve compassion and care, not incarceration.”