Collin County has launched a new specialty court to divert mentally ill offenders into a court-supervised outpatient treatment program instead of the traditional criminal justice process.
The program combines mental health treatment with frequent court appearances, home visits, case management, counseling and community based support services.
The specialty court was funded by a generous grant from Texas Governor Greg Abbott's office last fall, and is open to people 17 and older with a mental health diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective, major depression, bipolar and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder . Its start-up target is to bring 40 eligible cases into the alternative program. The court will begin accepting eligible felony and misdemeanor cases on Feb. 23.Sign up for NBC DFW newslettersJudge Jennifer Edgeworth of the 219th District Court will preside over the program with Judge Lance Baxter of County Court at Law 3.
"Collin County continues to make great strides serving those with mental health concerns. We are proud the new diversion court for offenses involving persons with mental illness has been created and appreciate another opportunity to assist those suffering from mental health issues in the criminal Justice system and provide them with services needed to remain stable." Danielle Sneed, Deputy Clinical Officer of LifePath Systems.
The specialty court also includes program coordinator Donald Bell, case manager Michelle Garcia, specialist Molly Craft, and defense attorney Kim Laseter.
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