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18-11
Adult jail diversion

Objective: Increase the proportion of local governments with community-based jail diversion programs for adults with serious mental illnesses.

American Correctional Association
4380 Forbes Blvd.
Lanham, MD 20706-4322
James A. Gondles, Executive Director
Toll Free: 800-222-5646
Fax: 301-918-1900
Internet: http://www.corrections.com/aca

The American Correctional Association is a multi-disciplinary organization of professionals representing all facets of corrections & criminal justice, including federal, state, and military correctional facilities and prisons, county jails and detention centers, probation/parole agencies, and community corrections/halfway houses. Their web site includes an intranet network for professionals, information on corrections, membership, accreditation, chapters, conferences, trainings and publications.

American College of Forensic Psychiatry
P.O. Box 5870
Balboa Island, CA 92662
Debbie Miller, Co-Director
Tel: 949-673-7773
Fax: 949-675-1107
Internet: www.forensicpsychonline.com

The American College of Forensic Psychiatry is a private educational association composed of psychiatrists from the United States, Canada and abroad, who serve the civil and criminal courts in the capacity of expert witnesses. Their web site contains information on their symposiums, publications, journal and membership, and a directory of Forensic Psychiatrists.

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
1101 15th Street, NW
Suite 1212
Washington, DC 20005-5002
Robert Bernstein, Executive Director
Tel: 202-467-5730
Fax: 202-223-0409
Internet: http://www.bazelon.org

The Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is a nonprofit legal advocacy organization based in Washington D.C. which advocates for people with mental illness and mental retardation. Their current work is focused on reform of public systems to serve adults, children and older people with mental disabilities in their communities; access to housing, health care and support services of consumers' choice; services and support to help children with disabilities grow up in families; and, protections against discrimination?in housing, employment and public services. Their web site includes news and analysis of federal laws, regulations, legislative proposals and court decisions in each area. Bazelon Center attorneys provide technical support for and co-counsel selected lawsuits and publish handbooks, manuals, issue papers and reports explaining key legal and policy issues in everyday terms.

Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law
American Bar Association
740 15th Street
Washington, DC 20005-1022
Tel: 202-662-1570
Fax: 202-662-1032
Internet: http://www.abanet.org/disability

The mission of the Commission is to promote the ABA's commitment to justice and the rule of law for persons with mental, physical, and sensory disabilities and to promote their full and equal participation in the legal profession. One of the most important concerns of the Commission is the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The commission has published several books and manuals on the subject and collects information to build a foundation for the Association's implementation efforts as the legal profession's resource for technical information. Their web site includes a directory of lawyers who practice disability law, disability alerts, disability publications, and legal research.

National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors
66 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 302
Alexandria, VA 22314
Robert Glover, Executive Director
Tel: 703-739-9333
Fax: 703-548-9517
Internet: http://www.nasmhpd.org

The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) organizes to reflect and advocate for the collective interests of State Mental Health Authorities and their directors at the national level. The association identifies public mental health policy issues, apprises its members of research findings and best practices in the delivery of mental health services, fosters collaboration, provides consultation and technical assistance, and promotes effective management practices and financing mechanisms adequate to sustain its mission. Their web site includes information on government relations efforts, programs, membership, and a directory.

National Center for Youth Law (NCYL)
405 14th Street, 15th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612-2701
Lucy Quacinella, Staff Attorney
Tel: 510-835-8089
Fax: 510-835-8099
Internet: http://www.youthlaw.org

NCYL speaks for vulnerable children and youth and their families, insisting that they receive the benefit of laws that offer them access to safety, shelter, health care, and hope for a better future. Their advocacy takes a variety of forms, including: publishing articles, manuals, books, and a bimonthly journal, Youth Law News, providing technical assistance and training, assisting legal advocates who represent poor children, and conducting administrative and legislative advocacy.

National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
12300 Twinbrook Parkway
Suite 320
Rockville, MD 20852
Charles G. Ray, President/CEO
Tel: 301-984-6200
Fax: 301-881-7159
Internet: http://www.nccbh.org

The mission of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is to champion opportunities that advance members' ability to deliver proactive and holistic healthcare services and is dependent on individual members actualizing this mission through learning and the sharing of knowledge. They provide information, educational resources, training, consulting, and other forms of technical assistance.

The National Gains Center for People with Co-Occuring Disorders
Policy Research, Inc.
262 Delaware Avenue
Delmer, NY 12054
Joseph J. Cocozza, PhD, Center Director
Tel: 518-439-7415
Fax: 518-439-7612
Internet: http://www.prainc.com/gains

The National GAINS Center for People with Co-Occurring Disorders in the Criminal Justice System is a national locus for the collection and dissemination of information about effective mental health and substance abuse services for people with co-occurring disorders who come in contact with the justice system. The GAINS Center provides technical assistance through the use of national and local experts, responds to information requests, and offers a variety of publications and technical assistance documents. Publication catalog and order forms are available on their web site.

National Mental Health Association/ Partners in Community Access to Recovery and Empowerment
1021 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2971
Rhonda Buckner, Senior Dir., AMHS
Toll Free: 800-969-6642
Tel: 703-684-7722
Fax: 703-684-5968
Internet: http://www.nmha.org

Partners in C.A.R.E. addresses the treatment needs of individuals with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses. Partners in C.A.R.E. helps individuals and organizations in selected communities advocate for the introduction of community-based services. The initiative provides technical assistance and materials to educate political, business, and civic leaders and help communities identify gaps in the existing services for people with serious mental illnesses. Their web site also contains fact sheets on schizophrenia and community-based care.

National Research and Training Center on Psychiatric Disability
104 South Michigan Ave., #900
Chicago, IL. 60603
Judith A. Cook, Ph.D., Director
Tel: 312-422-8180
Fax: 312-422-0740
Internet: www.psych.uic.edu/nrtc

The National Research and Training Center provide technical assistance, research and consultation services, as well as information and referral. A publications catalog is also available.

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This resource was created by the Knowledge Exchange Network at mentalhealth.org

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