Collaborative Courts

MISSION AND GOALS

The Collaborative Courts is a group of specialized courts designed to improve treatment outcomes, reduce recidivism, and address public safety and victims’ rights concerns while efficiently utilizing public resources. The mission is to enhance the quality of life for participants by providing a supportive environment that adopts recovery and rehabilitation. This is achieved through a collaborative, team-based approach involving multiple agencies and community partners.

Goals of the Collaborative Justice System:

Reduce Jail Bed Days: Minimize the need for incarceration by providing alternative solutions that address the root causes of criminal behavior.
Decrease Recidivism: Lower the likelihood of repeat offenses and probation/parole violations through effective treatment and support.
Reduce Psychiatric Inpatient Bed Days: Decrease the need for inpatient psychiatric care by providing community-based mental health services.
Lower Homelessness: Address factors contributing to homelessness and help participants secure stable housing.
Increase Treatment Compliance: Ensure participants adhere to treatment plans, contributing to their overall recovery and stability.
Promote Pro-Social Activities: Encourage engagement in positive, constructive activities that support personal growth and community integration.
Achieve Sobriety: Support participants in maintaining sobriety when substance use is a factor.
Resolve Legal Issues: Assist in resolving outstanding fines, fees, and other legal matters.
Reduce Harmful Behaviors: Address and reduce behaviors that negatively impact participants and their communities.
Enhance Safety: Improve safety for families and the public through effective supervision and support.
Boost Overall Wellbeing: Enhance the physical, mental, and emotional health of participants, leading to improved quality of life.

COLLABORATIVE COURTS

Behavioral Health Court (BHC) is a post-adjudication review court partnering with Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Services to address the needs of participants with severe mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. The court operates under collaborative principles to provide comprehensive support through a multidisciplinary team.

Eligibility Criteria:

Diagnosed with a significant and persistent mental health disorder.
Experience significant impairment in functioning due to the mental health disorder.
Eligible for county case coordination.
Amenable to psychiatric treatment and medication compliance.
Santa Cruz County Medi-Cal beneficiary.
Accept start MOST team Terms and Conditions
Voluntarily willing to participate in BHC.

Intensive Support Court (ISC)

ISC is a supportive pre-adjudication program aimed at helping individuals facing mental health issues and substance use disorders. It uses a team-based approach to provide integrated support, focusing on mental health diversion and helping participants achieve their treatment goals.

ISC Court Eligibility Criteria

Participants must be dealing with mental health and/or substance use issues that affect their daily lives.
Participants should have significant needs of case management, criminal history, and a risk of reoffending.
Participants must be granted mental health diversion.
Participation in ISC Court is voluntary, and individuals must be willing to engage in the program.

Veteran Court (VC)

Veteran Court (VC) offers an alternative sentencing option for veterans with service-related mental health and substance use issues, operating under CA Penal Codes § 1170.9 and § 1001.80. The court aims to connect veterans with treatment and support services to improve their quality of life.

Eligibility Criteria:

Served in the U.S. Military.
Struggle with PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), substance use, or other service-related mental health issues.
Willing to participate and comply with treatment requirements.

Family Preservation Court (FPC)

Family Preservation Court (FPC) is a voluntary program focused on families involved in dependency cases and Non-Minor Dependents in Child Welfare. The court aims to preserve and reunify families by addressing issues that lead to court involvement and providing access to necessary treatments and services.

Eligibility Criteria:

Open dependency case or a Non-Minor Dependent.
Struggles with substance use disorder.
Voluntarily willing to participate in FPC.

Re-entry Court (RC) Summary

Reentry Court (RC) is a supportive review court designed to help individuals on parole who suffer from mental illness, substance use disorders, or co-occurring disorders. It collaborates with Goodwill Central Coast and utilizes an integrated multidisciplinary team approach to address these complex needs. Guided by collaborative court principles, RC focuses on keeping individuals connected to community health care, reducing recidivism, responding to public safety and victims' rights concerns, and optimizing the use of public resources. The program is set to conclude in January 2025.

Reentry Court (RC) Eligibility Criteria

Must be currently on an active parole caseload.
Must have a documented history of substance use and/or mental health disorder.
Must have committed or be at risk of committing a parole violation.
Must be experiencing a high level of need, have a history of criminal justice involvement, and be at high risk of recidivism.
Must be amenable and willing to participate in Reentry Court.

REFERRAL PROCESS OF THE COLLABORATIVE COURTS:

To refer a participant for assessment, complete the following steps:

Fill out the appropriate referral packet and sign all Releases of Information (ROI).
Include any additional mental health records with the referral packet.
If the client is in custody, request a Court Clinician Screening from the Court. The Court Clinician will assess the participant and respond through a confidential document in Odyssey. Please allow up to three weeks for a response.

Referrals can also be made by the Probation Department, Parole, the Santa Cruz City Attorney’s Office, County Mental Health, and community treatment providers. Please feel free to email collaborativecourt@santacruzcourt.org if you have questions.

Collaborative Courts Referral packet forms:

Collaborative Courts Referral packet

Links to YouTube videos:

Collaborative courts information for the community CC-

https://youtu.be/xGTrBYxZOz8?si=R1-v9YNwk1t9pav0

Information to Collaborative Courts for Supporter and Family Members-

https://youtu.be/Z_wUEsQYS3w

Introduction to Collaborative Courts for Potential Participants-

https://youtu.be/orImJF4JUJ4

Other links and resources:

Behavioral health pocket guide:

https://www.santacruzhealth.org/Portals/7/Pdfs/BH/Mental%20Health%20Pocket%20Guide%20-%20Eng.pdf