Aurora’s Municipal Wellness Court
Individuals who suffer with mental illness are falling through the cracks of this country’s social safety net and are landing in the criminal justice system at an alarming rate. The City of Aurora recognized the need for an alternative process and has established a treatment and recovery court (mental health court). The program’s goal is to reduce incarceration and recidivism of people with mental illness by linking them to mental health services and supports.
KUSA – 9 News Article on Aurora’s Municipal Wellness Court – First Graduate
Aurora Municipal Wellness Court brochure from the Equitas Project
Denver Outreach Court
Denver Outreach Court, part of the City and County of Denver Court, is designed to increase stabilization and reduce future interactions with the justice system for individuals experiencing homelessness or receiving homeless or transitional services. The court helps individuals take action on municipal level citations or warrants and provides direct access to mental health services and enrollment in Medicaid. Community service options are also available to complete court requirements. Instead of requiring people to come to a courthouse, which for those experiencing homelessness can often be difficult, the Outreach Court is held every other Wednesday at Denver Rescue Mission.
From the Office of the Mayor – Denver Offers Homeless a Fresh Start in the New Year
Fort Collins – “Special Agency Sessions”
Special Agency Sessions (SAS) are part of the Fort Collins Municipal Court to address public concerns with quality of life violations for those without housing and/or with other service needs. The sessions are intended to support dispositions which balance compassion and resourcefulness with accountability. This program was created by and functions as a collaborative effort involving personnel from the Court, the City Attorney’s Office, Police Services, Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center for Hope, Homeward 2020, and Touchstone Partners. It supports the City’s key strategic outcome of “safe community” and, specifically, Strategic Objective 5.8: “Improve community involvement, education and regional partnerships to make our community safer and stronger.”
Lakewood – Specialized Adult Services
Lakewood Probation Division – Specialized Adult Supervision Services actively supervises defendants charged with prostitution and continues to be responsible for securing specialized residential placements to provide housing and treatment to address a number of presenting issues including substance abuse, mental health, lack of education or vocational training as well as other types of abuse for this vulnerable population.
Lakewood Municipal Court Veterans Process
The Lakewood Municipal Court Veterans Process helps promote public safety by holding justice-involved veterans accountable for their behavior while referring to and monitoring treatment, interventions and support through a team-based approach and increased probation and judicial monitoring.
Loveland’s Jumpstart Program
The Loveland Municipal Court, in partnership with the Community Partnership Office, is an alternative sentencing program for the homeless that empowers individuals to make life improving changes. It utilizes individualized assessment and coordination with local resources to help with an individuals needs and provide for accountability for the community.
Reporter-Herald Article on Loveland’s Jumpstart Program
Westminster Wellness Court and Court Resource Navigator Services
Westminster Municipal Court recognizes the need to provide alternative sentencing to those who are struggling with issues like substance use, unemployment, mental health, housing, and more. Individuals who qualify are offered an option of participation in Wellness Court which addresses all the above needs as well as the other goals of the individual enrolled. This program aims to reduce recidivism, connect individuals to community partners, and provide a trauma-informed court experience. Westminster Municipal Court also offers all individuals with a case access to a Court Resource Navigator to connect them to needed community services and immediate resources.
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