Jail diversion is effective but underused for people with serious mental illness. This session highlights an innovative post-incarceration model that connects eligible individuals to inpatient treatment as an alternative to criminal charges. Presenters will describe a collaborative partnership among jail health services, custody leadership, hospital providers, public defenders, prosecutors, and judges, including securing Medicaid authorization to support the pathway. Attendees will learn implementation strategies, challenges, and early outcomes related to recidivism and system efficiency.

Educational Objectives:

• Review the history and component aspects of jail diversion programs in the U.S.
• Describe the steps to implement stakeholder collaboration to create court-ordered hospital placement
• Discuss ways to apply this collaborative method to other settings/jurisdictions

Level: Intermediate