Grant to assist individuals with mental illnesses who come in contactwith justice system

On Sept. 23, 2019, the United StatesDepartment of Justice awarded Forsyth County a grant in the amount of $400,000through its Justice and Mental Health CollaborationProgram (JMHCP). The county’s match for the grant is $100,000.

The purpose of the grant is to:

- Reduce the number ofpeople booked into jails who have mental illnesses

- Shorten the length of stayin jails for people who have mental illnesses 

- Increase availability oftreatment for people who have mental illnesses

            -Reduce recidivism rates for people who have mental illnesses 

“Our jails have become at times a‘holding shed’ for people with true mental health issues,” said Forsyth CountyBoard of Commissioners Vice Chairman and District Four Commissioner Cindy JonesMills.

“This grant, which was achieved througha collaborative effort over a number of years, will give us an opportunity tohopefully recognize the problem and start the treatment for the underlying problemproperly so the reoccurrence will be reduced significantly in the future.”

To best utilize the funds, the ForsythCounty Finance Department and Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office are establishinga planning team comprised of county leaders, stakeholders and decision makersfrom multiple departments and agencies.

“While this grant can likely divertindividuals with mental illness who have committed minor crimes and help thosearrested to obtain services to avoid further arrests, it is equally importantto note the Sheriff’s Office will not divert any criminal offense thatendangers our community or results in any significant crime” said Sheriff RonFreeman.