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Alternative sentencing program offers resources for recovery rather than jail time

Katie Ellington

November 23, 2020 |

Richland Source |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Mansfield, Ohio

The Richland County Community Alternative Center provides court-ordered drug and alcohol treatment in lieu of jail for people facing criminal charges related to their addiction. In 60-, 90-, or 120-day treatment terms, patients from across Ohio receive addiction counseling, therapy, work training, and other skills classes. Case managers help prepare people for re-entry when their sentence has been served. The center is run by the courts, which pay for treatment services, which makes it unusual.

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Can an Algorithm Prevent Suicide?

Benedict Carey

November 23, 2020 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Veterans Affairs' Reach Vet program uses an algorithm weighing 61 factors to flag veterans deemed at highest risk of suicide. While its results have not been shown to affect the suicide rate, it has more than doubled high-risk veterans' uses of V.A. services and been associated with a lower overall mortality rate. Built on an analysis of thousands of previous suicides in the V.A.'s system, Reach Vet assesses scores of facts from medical records, including some that are not obvious to humans trying to spot problems. Doctors then intervene and ensure the veteran has a suicide safety plan in place.

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Program in Montrose County Helps Homeless Families Pursue Self-Sufficiency

Laura Palmisano

November 17, 2020 |

Mountain Grown Community Radio (KVNF) |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Olathe, Colorado

Haven House, a faith-based provider of transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness, offers a safe place to live while working to reunite families that face possible loss of child custody over their housing or substance-use status. Required classes in parenting and budgeting, plus job-search services and other classes, have helped more than 370 families over the past decade. Families, who often are referred to the program from the county's Child Protective Services agency, can remain at the house for up to two years if they comply with the rules.

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In Denver, Unarmed Mental Health Workers Respond To Hundreds Of 911 Calls Instead Of Police

Leigh Paterson

November 17, 2020 |

KUNC |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Denver, Colorado

Since Denver launched its Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) program in June, it has handled more than 600 calls for help with a mental health clinician and a paramedic instead of sending police officers. Modeled on Eugene, Oregon's CAHOOTS program, STAR is based on the notion that low-level emergencies involving mental health, homelessness, and substance abuse do not require police responses, and in fact can more often end peacefully by removing police from the equation. STAR started small, with one van on duty during weekday hours. Police support the move, and often call in STAR for assistance.

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‘How Did We Not Know?' Gun Owners Confront a Suicide Epidemic

Roni Caryn Rabin

November 17, 2020 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

A public-education campaign to enlist gun owners in suicide prevention work by first informing them of the problem's scope has spread to programs in 21 states. Although the campaign's ultimate effects on suicide rates are not known, it has at least spurred gun-rights advocates to action, with safety and prevention messages spread through gun shows, retailers, trade groups, and gun ranges. The majority of gun deaths are suicides. Millions of guns have been sold during the pandemic and social-justice protests, elevating suicide risks. Safety measures include gun locks and having friends remove guns from homes.

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‘I Want Them to See That Someone Cares About Them'

J. Brian Charles

November 14, 2020 |

The Trace |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

The Violence Intervention Program at the University of Maryland Medical Center's Shock Trauma Center helps people meet basic needs after they have suffered a gunshot injury. Along with clothing, transportation vouchers, and toothbrushes, the program's social workers also provide talk therapy. The goal is to keep victims of violence from becoming victims again, and the approach is to build trust by giving the help without strings attached. Many people return for the help, and the therapy.

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Manhattan Mental Health Court offers lifeline to those with serious mental illness — but they have to get in

Chelsia Rose Marcius

November 14, 2020 |

New York Daily News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Manhattan Mental Health Court was created in 2011 to divert felony criminal cases to treatment, and away from prison, for people in need of mental health treatment. But few people with serious mental illness ever benefit from it. Too few defense lawyers know to request the intervention or do it correctly. Prosecutors act as gatekeepers in deciding who gets the help, and many do not see its value. And, once cases are admitted to the court, they can sometimes take years to be resolved. Covid restrictions on the courts have only aggravated these problems.

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Hard-Knocks Restaurant Workers Are Embracing Mental Wellness

Hannah Wallace

November 13, 2020 |

Reasons to be Cheerful |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Sacramento, California

An initiative being piloted in the Sacramento hospitality industry aims to decrease the stigma restaurant workers face when talking about mental health concerns with their peers. This peer-to-peer mental health support program encourages workers to disclose how they are feeling to a fellow team member who has been trained in mental health counseling. Restaurant owners have reported that this program has positively changed the culture and 22 percent of those who work at a restaurant where the initiative has been piloted have reported that they have utilized the service.

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Swords to Plowshares Providing In-Person Veterans Services During Pandemic

Lauren Wenus

November 12, 2020 |

San Francisco Public Press |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

A drastic decrease in homelessness among veterans in San Francisco has been credited to the efforts of Swords to Plowshares, which is a veterans services group. Wraparound services helped veterans find temporary housing, permanent housing, mental health services, and help finding jobs.

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For families involved in Philly's child welfare system, this program is building a safety net

Steve Volk

November 12, 2020 |

Kensington Voice |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A pilot program within the child welfare system in Philadelphia is providing wraparound services for parents at risk of losing custody of their children. The multi-disciplinary services include an attorney, social workers, and a peer advocate in addition to services that help stabilize families such as housing, employment, and addiction treatment. Similar programs in New York City and Washington state show significant reductions of time spent by children in foster care and increased rates of reunification - saving money and reducing trauma.

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