Yolo County's Mental Health Diversion Court celebrated the graduation of several participants last week, bringing the total number of graduates to 23 since the inception of the program.
Christopher Duzenski and Zachary Tuscher were among the graduates who celebrated successful completion of the program on June 12, according to a press release from the Yolo County District Attorney's Office.
Launched in 2021, Mental Health Diversion Court is one of Yolo County's specialty courts that aims to enhance public safety and reduce recidivism of those who live with mental illness and/or a substance use disorder whose behavioral health issues were a significant factor in the commission of their crime.
The program was started by Public Defender Tracie Olson and former Yolo County Chief Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Raven, who identified an underserved population who didn't quite fit into the county's two other specialty courts, Mental Health Court and Addiction Intervention Court.
The program was established to support individuals who do not require as intensive treatment as those who qualify for Mental Health Court but with the same intent to increase treatment and reduce hospitalizations and incarceration.
Mental Health Diversion Court accomplishes this goal by supporting participation in community treatment. Program requirements include maintaining sobriety, being medication compliant if appropriate, attending all required appointments and court hearings and writing reflective essays for each of the four phases to be completed.
This program is done with the collaboration of the District Attorney's Office, the Public Defender's Office, the Probation Department, the Sheriff's Department, the Court, and CommuniCare+OLE Health Centers all working together to support the clients.
Many speakers in attendance praised the graduates for their hard work, dedication to change and sticking with the program.
"It has been an honor to help you through this program," said Julie Santiago, behavioral health manager at Communicare+OLE, to the graduates.
The men were presented their certificates of completion by Judge Janet Gaard to conclude the graduation ceremony.
No comments:
Post a Comment