While the intersection of behavioral health and the criminal justice system has always been evident, our unique, publicly funded systems never developed in a way that fostered success.  Sadly, disparate funding systems, the criminalization of human behavior, and a lack of understanding of our unique systems have led to the crisis we are facing today in the State of Indiana.  Policy makers are increasingly developing an understanding that more needs to be done with respect to providing our citizens access to quality and effective mental health and substance use treatment.  While the increased focus on the part of policy makers, administrative officials, and the public is valued, it is not enough!  Success in addressing these challenges can only come following a dramatic and radical shift with respect to how we treat our citizens coping with mental health or substance use issues.  Did you know one county in Indiana has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country?  Certain public officials tout the benefit of incarcerated individuals with mental health and substance receiving services in county jails.  County Sheriffs are expected to manage mental health and addiction health service delivery, with little or no training in human behavior, addictive disorders, trauma informed care, or health care financing. Conversely, Community Mental Health Centers are expected to seamlessly move individuals moving from incarceration to community reentry into treatment with an expectation of same day service.   Funding systems between the criminal justice and the mental health and addiction delivery system are highly incongruent.  The impact of the criminalization of addictive disorders has led to a massive build-up of criminal justice related entities, such as law enforcement, jails, prisons, judicial systems, community corrections, parole, etc.  All at the expense of available public funding to treat individuals suffering from mental health and addiction.  For the community mental health system to respond to crisis facing our state, it becomes imperative to fully understand the complexity of organizations and entities involved in providing mental health and substance use treatment to individuals in the criminal justice system.  Attend this conference to better understand how we can work collaboratively with criminal justice related entities, while continuing to strive for an improved approach to the delivery of mental health and addiction treatment.

HOTEL INFORMATION:
You may make your overnight room reservations by calling The Hilton Indianapolis at (317)972-0600 and refer to the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers room block or by using this link.

Please make all reservations by APRIL 17! 

The Hilton Indianapolis is offering our attendees an overnight room rate of $149, plus tax per night. Valet parking is available on-site for $25 and they also offer self-parking for $15. 

Additional information is forthcoming and will updated accordingly.

Please direct any conference questions to Denise DeLong, ddelong@indianacouncil.org or call 1-317-684-3684.