How Treatment Court Professionals Can Effectively Build Relationships and Interact with Behavioral Health and Court Treatment Teams to Better Serve Justice-Involved Clients-View Presentation

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Video Summary

The SMI Advisor webinar, hosted by Dr. Amy Cohen, covered how treatment court professionals can effectively build relationships with behavioral health and court treatment teams to better serve justice-involved clients. Key speakers included Tony Sanchez, Laura McCoy, and Judge Charles Auslander, who collectively highlighted the importance of collaboration between legal systems and treatment centers in supporting clients. Tony Sanchez, Director of Partnerships at Faces and Voices of Recovery, emphasized recovery-oriented systems of care, while Judge Auslander discussed the goals and values of legal professionals and their need for better understanding of behavioral health. Laura McCoy shared her inspiring story of recovery from substance use and her transition to an advocate and forensic peer mentor. She highlighted the role of comprehensive, empathetic therapy and community support over mere abstinence. The discussion underlined how peers like McCoy, by bridging the gap between legal systems and clients, can drastically improve outcomes, offering more personalized and relatable support. The inclusion of peers in court teams also provides real-time insights into client experiences and needs, helping to tailor interventions effectively. Advice for clinicians included advocating for clients in legal settings, connecting with local courts, and leveraging community resources to better support individuals reentering society. The webinar emphasized humility and collaboration among professionals to enhance care for people with serious mental illness and justice system involvement, showcasing peer support as a crucial element in this process.

Keywords

SMI Advisor webinar

behavioral health

court treatment teams

justice-involved clients

recovery-oriented systems

peer support

substance use recovery

legal systems collaboration

forensic peer mentor

community resources