RESOLUTION NO. ______, SERIES 2015
Title
A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE LOUISVILLE METRO GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES (NACo) STEPPING UP INITIATIVE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES IN LOCAL JAILS.
Body
SPONSORED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS BUTLER AND YATES
WHEREAS, Louisville Metro Government routinely provides treatment services to an estimated 6000 people with serious mental illnesses or 22% of the individuals booked into jail each year; and
WHEREAS, prevalence rates of serious mental illnesses in jails are three to six times higher than for the general population; and
WHEREAS, almost three-quarters of adults with serious mental illnesses in jails have co-occurring substance use disorders; and
WHEREAS, adults with mental illnesses tend to stay longer in jail and upon release are at a higher risk of recidivism than people without these disorders; and
WHEREAS, Louisville Metro Department of Corrections spends two to three times more on adults with mental illnesses that require intervention compared to those without these treatment needs; and
WHEREAS, without the appropriate treatment and services, people with mental illnesses continue to cycle through the criminal justice system, often resulting in tragic outcomes for these individuals and their families; and
WHEREAS, Louisville Metro Government takes pride in its responsibility to protect and enhance the health, welfare, safety, and quality of life of community residents in efficient and cost-effective ways; and
WHEREAS, Louisville Metro has long been viewed as a progressive community with regard to its efforts to reduce the number of individuals with mental illness being housed in the jail; and
WHEREAS, through the Stepping Up initiative, the National Association of Counties, the Council of State Governments Justice Center and the American Psychiatric Foundation are encouraging public, private and nonprofit partners to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in jails;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL, does hereby sign on to the NACo Call to Action to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections, and encourage all Louisville Metro officials, employees and residents to participate in Stepping Up. We resolve to utilize the comprehensive resources available through Stepping Up to:
Section I: Raise public awareness about the factors contributing to over-representation of people with mental illness in the jail.
Section II: Highlight local collaborative efforts and successful projects, such as the Dual Diagnosis Cross-Functional Team, by posting information on the national Stepping Up website
Section III: Share lessons learned with other counties in Kentucky and across the country in support of the national initiative.
Section IV: Use resources available through the online Stepping Up Toolkit to identify opportunities to enhance existing community initiatives.
Section V: This resolution shall take effect upon its passage and approval.
_____________________________ __________________________
H. Stephen Ott David W. Tandy
Metro Council Clerk President of the Council
_____________________________ __________________________
Greg Fischer Approval Date
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Michael J. O’Connell
Jefferson County Attorney
BY: ___________________________
CW Butler Resolution Mental Illness ROC sjm 6 July 2015
CW Butler R-126-15 Mental Illness ROC sjm 6 July 2015;bkn 070815