/•

JUN 1 2 1997

f

SCVH&HS

ADMINISTRATION

SANTA CLARA

Dedicated to the Health

VALL6Y

of the Whole Community

Health Department

MS ^uth Bascom Avenue
•>an Jose, California 95128

H6AUH & HOSPnAL SYSTEM

Tel(408)885-5770
Fax (408)885-5788

D€RARTM€NTOF
MENTAL HEALTH

June 12, 1997
TO:

Paula Lacey

Office ofBudg^ and Analyse
FROM:

Soleng K Tom,^D.

Interim Mental Health
RE:

;oi

Mental Health Couirt Funding

The idea ofa Mental Health Court is an excellent one that deserves consideration and analysis.
There are several areas that Mental Health staffcould be involved:

For seriously mentally ill individuals on Service Teams,the Team staffcould woric with
the courts with treatment, placement, and follow-up options. Currently, Teams are
expected to follow mentally ill individuals over time and across programs. This would
include discussion with Public Defenders, Judges, Probation Officers,
Conservators/Guardians and to assure individuals appear in court.

Our Homeless Team could be a speciali2ed treatment resource and, along with the Mobile
Mental Health Team, could offer timely treatment, evaluation, and interventions.

Further work and coordination between Pre-Trial Services, Department ofCorrection, and
Adult Custody Mental Health continues in an attempt to quickly connect inmates to
mental health services.

Having a Mental Health Court with a designated District Attorney and Public Defender would
allow improved coordination and, hopefully, more jail diversion options.

I have also attached a memo from Lewis Pollard that updates Mobile Mental Health Team
planning around Sobering Station, Sheriffs Department and Pre-Trial Services.
SKT;me
Attachment
c\

Robert Sillen, Director, SCVHHS

Tlie Dcp.inmcnt of Menial Heallli is a division of ihc Santa Clara Valley Healih & Hospilal Syslem, Owned and oporalcd by lire Counly of Santa Clara.