CARE Program
Changing, Assisting, Restoring, and Enlightening for Mental Health Offenders
Did you know approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. (43.8 million) experiences mental illness in a given year?
Approximately 20% of state and local jail prisoners have “a recent history” of a mental health condition.
Forsyth County’s Mental Health C.A.R.E. Program offers an alternative to incarceration for offenders with a documented history of severe and persistent mental illness whose legal charges are related to their mental illness. The program links individuals with mental health treatment services, and if needed, substance abuse treatment in addition to community resources that will allow them to live a healthy, productive life and reduce/eliminate future involvement with the criminal justice system. The coordinator develops an individualized treatment plan for each participant who enters into the program.
C.A.R.E. program lasts a minimum of 24 months. Phase 1 is the Stabilization Phase and lasts a minimum of 3 months. Phase 2 is the Early Recovery Phase and lasts a minimum of 6 months. Phase 3 is the Maintenance Phase and lasts a minimum of 6 months. Phase 4 is the Preparation Phase and lasts a minimum of 9 months. The program combines treatment, education, regular, random alcohol and drug screening, supervision, community support, as well as judicial accountability.
The C.A.R.E. Program is a partnership among the Courts, the District Attorney’s Office, the Solicitor’s Office, the Defense Bar, Law Enforcement, Felony and Misdemeanor Probation Services, and treatment services.
Eligibility
- Documented history of severe and persistent mental health diagnosis
- Presence in United States is legally documented
- Live in Forsyth County or an adjacent county to Forsyth (subject to approval)
- At least 18 years old
- Current involvement in the legal system with charges related to mental illness
- Not taking any Opiates, Benzodiazepines, Amphetamines, Sedatives, or any other addictive medications
- Cases will be considered on a case by case basis
* Referrals to the program can be made by the District Attorney’s Office, Solicitor’s Office, and others