The Coalition has launched a new Behavioral Health Primer for justice professionals. The 8-hour course targeted to judges, attorneys, probation officers, investigators, case managers, guardians and other justice personnel, trains attendees in the causes and treatment of behavioral health disorders and includes topics related to:

• Mental health disorders – signs, symptoms and treatment

• Neuroscience of substance use disorders and treatment

• Baker and Marchman acts

• Wellness, mindfulness, secondary trauma & self care

• Trauma and resiliency

• De-escalation and effective communication

The goal is to improve the effectiveness of the justice system response for persons experiencing serious mental illness and/or substance use dependence by expanding trauma-informed and trauma-responsive practices to all divisions of the justice system to ensure that persons in need of treatment will be assisted in accessing care from a holistic approach.

For attendees, additional resources are available here:

• Judges’ Guide to Mental Health

• Behavioral Health Bureau Overview

• CCSO Corrections Reintegration Guide

• Reentry Guide

• Veterans Resource Guide