Forensic Mental Health Association of California
This message comes courtesy of Jay Nelson at the Council of State Government's Justice Center.
Protect Funding for the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act
The Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA) provides states and local governments with resources to plan and implement initiatives for people with mental illnesses involved with the criminal justice system in order to increase public safety and improve the lives of people with mental illnesses in the criminal justice system and their families.
This critical program is in jeopardy. The President's 2012 budget proposed the consolidation of MIOTCRA into a single problem-solving courts initiative, which would exclude many of the key elements of MIOTCRA. This policy shift would eliminate MIOTCRA and terminate over 60 percent of its program areas.
We need YOUR help. Contact your Members of Congress and ask them to support funding for MIOTCRA.
Congress is working on the appropriations bills for FY 2012. To ensure MIOTCRA is funded, Members of Congress need to hear from you about the program immediately.
The Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA) was signed into law in 2004, and authorized a $50 million grant program to be administered by the United States Department of Justice. In 2008, Congress reauthorized the program for an additional five years. The reauthorization bill expanded training for law enforcement to identify and respond appropriately to individuals with mental illnesses. The program received $10 million in FY 2009; $12 million in FY 2010; and $9.6 million in FY 2011.
Please forward on this message to your colleagues, friends and networks and encourage them to take part in contacting their Members of Congress as well. Visit http://www.capwiz.com/csgjusticectr/home/ to learn more or send a letter of support for the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act.
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