On the Job 

The Ohio Attorney General’s Task Force on Criminal Justice and Mental Illness reported last month on the status of programs that received about $400,000 in grants awarded by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine in an effort to provide ongoing support for the mentally ill and their families.

“Those who are not getting the help they need can end up in a nonstop cycle of run-ins with law enforcement,” he said.

Ohio Housing Finance Agency: The agency received $215,250 to pay for housing for those identified by the Hamilton County Common Pleas Mental Health Court as homeless or at risk for homelessness. With the funding, 18 people have been placed by the agency’s “Home for Good” rental-subsidy program into housing linked with Hamilton County services.

Ohio Department of Youth Services: The department received $82,500 to help pay for a mental-health screening program for the state’s juvenile detention facilities and staff training.

Veterans Courts Peer Mentoring Program: The program received $31,000, which paid for the development of an interactive Veterans Court mentor screening tool and training website, which is expected to be available this month.

Ohio Department of Veterans Services:
The department received $21,238, which paid for Crisis Intervention Team training for employees in Ohio Veterans Homes. The training teaches techniques to defuse anxious, hostile or violent behavior.

Mercer County Sheriff’s Office: The sheriff’s office received $25,000 to pay for a counselor and a program at the Mercer County Jail to help mentally ill inmates find services, jobs and housing after incarceration.

Hancock County Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board:  The board received $25,000, which paid for a case manager to help identify Hancock County Justice Center inmates who have mental illnesses, and to provide stabilization and discharge-planning services.