Program Requirements
BHC is voluntary. Benefits of successful completion may include reduction in the term of probation, dismissal of criminal charges, and reduced or suspended incarceration.
General Program Requirements Include:
- • Adherence to scheduled sessions, meetings, and appointments made by the program
- • Medication adherence
- • Compliance with drug and alcohol testing
- • Attendance at regular court appearances
Referral and Eligibility
Potential participants may be identified at the time of arrest, arraignment or probation revocation hearing and are referred by judges, defense counsel, the District Attorney’s Office, or probation officers. Participants are screened for eligibility. Passing the screening process does not guarantee admission into the program. Acceptance is made on a case-by-case basis.
General Eligibility Includes:
- • Evidence of a serious and persistent mental illness (as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.)
- • Participant has been convicted and sentenced (post-adjudication) and is eligible for probation (misdemeanor or felony). Individuals charged with murder or sex offenses are not eligible.
- • A mental health issue was likely a factor in the offense.
- • Participant’s mental illness has seriously impacted quality of life and without added conditions of the court is likely to become non-compliant.
- • Willing and amenable to behavioral health treatment and the recommendations of the program’s treatment provider.
- • Has the mental and cognitive capacity to handle the structure of BHC.
- • Has a valid home address in St. Tammany parish. If participant lives in Washington Parish, he/she must have reliable transportation to attend status hearings.
- • Willing to sign releases of information to all necessary program treatment providers and collaborators.
- • Agree to refrain from alcohol and drug use (other than approved medications).
- • Submit to random drug testing.
Case Management
Participants are assigned a case manager once the participant has been assessed as eligible for the program. The participant is oriented to the BHC program and an individualized case plan is developed. The case manager will help the participant connect with appropriate treatment resources and communicate regularly with the participant’s provider. Linkages to other services and resources are provided as needed such as transportation, self-help meetings, peer support services, and housing. Monitoring by the case manager includes overseeing compliance with required activities such as drug screens and attendance at treatment appointments. The case manager is responsible for collecting and reporting information to the court at weekly staffings held prior to the status hearings.
Behavioral Health Court Team
- • District Judge
- • Administrator/Program Coordinator
- • Case Managers
- • State Probation And Parole
- • 22nd JDC Misdemeanor Probation Treatment Providers
- • Act Team
- • District Forensic Coordinator
- • District Attorney’s Office
- • Public Defender’s Office
- • Community Liaisons/Ancillary Services
- • NAMI St. Tammany
- • Education Specialist
- • Clerk Of Court
Founding Judge: Peter Garcia
“Treatment providers and law enforcement see many of these people over and over again as they go in and out of treatment, on and off their medications, and in and out of jail. Through judicial oversight, intensive probation, drug screening, treatment and case management, arrests decline and treatment, medication and behavior become more consistent.”
- Judge Peter J. Garcia
Behavioral Health Court Testimonial
A Behavioral Health Court graduate’s letter to the court detailing the impact this program has had upon their life:
To Whom It May Concern:
The BHC Program is not one that society can afford to lose. After my mother’s suicide in 2005 I fell into the grip of crack addiction. Over the next 9 to 10 years, my life was out of control and I was helpless to stop it. I found hope at first, but when countless rehabs didn’t work, I just accepted that this was my life now. I had lost my husband, children, home — everything but my car — in which I’d get my first D.U.I. and my first introduction to BHC.
It wasn’t easy at first. I relapsed several times, but with the loving and caring guidance of the BHC staff, I learned coping skills (that worked) through groups and other resources. I was put into therapy where I was taught to confront my problems and talk about them instead of stuffing them down, because they’d always resurface if not dealt with. In BHC I found forgiveness, but most importantly, I was able to forgive myself. I was no longer the woman that would abandon her husband and children. I was no longer the woman that sold her body for a piece of crack. I was no longer a woman that lied and cheated. No longer a slave to this body.
I found Jesus Christ in this journey. I found someone who loved me and it was through BHC that His miracle was worked.
Today I have my family back, I have a beautiful home, and finally I have peace.
If you care at all about this world you’ll continue to support BHC and other programs like it. You aren’t only saving one person from certain death or incarceration, you’re saving families. My children have their mother back because of BHC and the wonderful caring staff that are within it. I hope my words will make your decision easier.
Sincerely,
Constance M.