The Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Technical Assistance Center (CJMHSA TAC) conducted its first ever circuit-wide Sequential Intercept Mapping (SIM) event. SIM utilizes the Sequential Intercept Model as a process for systems planning to divert individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders from justice system involvement.
Circuit 12 SIM participants voting for strategic plan priority areas.
After more than five months of planning, the center hosted a three-day intensive SIM event in Sarasota County with more than 50 representatives of Florida's 12th Judicial Circuit representing treatment providers, law enforcement officers, county services, providers of peer services, school staff, juvenile justice providers, and prevention organizations from Sarasota, Manatee, and Desoto counties. Collectively, the group identified key priorities for each county along with initiatives that will ultimately improve systems for youth with mental health or substance use challenges who are at risk of or already experiencing juvenile justice system involvement.
More than 20 priorities emerged from the event, including mobile response and co-responder models for crisis response, increased investments in peers and individuals with lived experience throughout the system(s), coordination of care among providers, and exploration of early intervention programs to mitigate justice system engagements.
Circuit 12 plan presentations on top priority areas.
The resulting report will include a strategic plan and system map for each county and a circuit-wide strategic plan. Participants will use the plan to maintain momentum on systems change initiatives, pursue grant funding, advocate for resources, educate the community, and provide a roadmap for next steps in change implementation.