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Reinvestment Grant#RFA06H16GS1 Working Draft The Drop-In Centers' are peer-operated, recovery oriented environments in the community that provide an accessible, safe, supportive and confidential place for care and recovery. The Drop-In program already operates as part of the Mental Health Court support network. A client shared that he regularly attends the Mental Health Association's Drop-In Center and is looking forward to graduating from the program so he can pursue employment. He was grateful for support he could depend on, so he could make better choices in his life. The MHA has a long standing commitment and a vested interest in diverting individuals with mental health disorders and substance abuse issues, away from the criminal justice system and towards effective treatment programs and service providers who can more effectively identify and treat the underlying causes that lead to criminal behavior. Mental Health Collaborative of Indian River County - The Connections Center Mental Health Collaborative of Indian River County / The Connections Center has formed a partnership between local philanthropists and the University of Florida College of Medicine to establish the OF Center for Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine in Vero Beach. This Collaborative is increasing community awareness of the importance of mental health through education efforts directed at local government organizations and positioning itself to serve as a resource. It also has been exploring the issue of the lack of housing options for the mentally ill in Indian River County. Through efforts generated in this Collaborative, the Mental Health Court was developed. The MHCIRC has chosen to expand services and the Connections Center created. The Connections Center is a collaboration of the service providers and various other social service entities and is designed to support existing, effective billable services. The Connections Center is designed to ensure access to mental health and substance abuse services, while removing barriers to services for other social determinants that impact optimal mental health and sobriety. A final hallmark of the Connections Center, as a central point of access, is the provision of an ongoing unmet needs assessment. A data tracking system will be put in place so that the following data can be gathered in real-time. This data will include but not be limited to: Populations seeking services, identified service needs not currently available within the county, Services with long wait times or insufficient capacity, Gaps in culturally diverse service availability, Social determinant needs, Training & education needs. Mental Health Court Mental Health Court is the hub for agencies providing Mental Health Court services. Since January 27, 2015, The Mental Health Court has been diverting suspects away from incarceration to a program that has been successful in turning lives around diagnosed with mental health and / or substance abuse. After successfully implementing the same diversion program in St. Lucie county Florida, Judge Cynthia Cox launched the program in Indian River County. This program, which strives to keep participants out of jail by providing mental health treatment has already graduated participants who have successfully complete the six-month program. Exhibiting Collaboration within systems, clients are referred to the court by the Sheriffs Office. A treatment plan is generated for each client, which can include therapy sessions, drug or alcohol treatment or even Page 27 of 33