Educate Personnel in the Criminal Justice System about Mental Illness

• Develop and implement de-escalation training for all professional and paraprofessional staff within the criminal justice system
• In order to, ensure safe responses by professionals to situations involving people with serious mental illness in crisis, the state should require additional training — that includes family and consumer input — about mental illness and de-escalation techniques
• Increase the use of CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training throughout the state
• Work with local CSA's (Core Service Agencies) and NAMI affiliates to implement CIT training in those areas of the state that do not have it

Decriminalize Mental Illness

• Increase the number of mental health courts throughout the state
• Work with local NAMI affiliates to bring mental health courts to more counties
• Work with the Mental Health Oversight Committee to the Office of Problem Solving Courts to give advice on the implementation of mental health courts statewide
• Expand services and facilities to meet the needs of those referred by Mental Health courts
• Continue to support implementation of HB 281
• This bill made provisions to create effective diversion and discharge planning for individuals with mental illness who are incarcerated or committed to the criminal justice system

Provide Better Service to People with the Most Serious Mental Illnesses

• Increase access to ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) Teams
• ACT Teams are an evidence-based treatment for individuals who are not able or willing to participate in traditional treatment settings or who continue to cycle in and out of hospitals and/or jails.
• ACT Team personnel must be specially trained to engage individuals who are most at risk of criminalization, homelessness, dangerousness to self or others, or other negative consequences of lack of treatment.
• Individuals who may not be accepted by traditional services and transition-age youth must also be engaged effectively by ACT Teams.
• Work with the Transformation Work Group (TWG) and Local Core Service Agencies (CSA) to increase ACT teams throughout the State
• Increase services to family members who are supporting individuals whose needs are not met by the current mental health system

For additional information contact: NAMI Maryland - 804 Landmark Drive, Suite 122 - Glen Burnie, MD 21061 Telephone: 410-863-0470 - E-Mail: namimd@nami.org WEB: http://md.nami.org/index.htm