In November 2020, SAMHSA’s GAINS Center hosted the State Summit on Behavioral Health and the Justice System in coordination with the Commission to Study Mental and Behavioral Health in Maryland, led by Lieutenant Governor Rutherford. This state-level strategic planning workshop was designed to inform the work of the state’s Public Safety and Judicial System and Crisis Services subcommittees and to guide targeted legislative appropriations for crisis services and jail diversion.
The goals of the virtually held Summit were the following:
- Identify opportunities for coordination and collaboration among state and local stakeholders
- Inform state and local stakeholders about best practices in the behavioral health and correctional fields
- Consider the impact of healthcare reform and state behavioral health and criminal justice initiatives on justice-involved populations
- Introduce the