The Delaware Mental Health Court Program is an interagency effort to screen, identify, treat and divert misdemeanor offenders in need of mental health services. Offenders with a possible mental illness are referred early in the adjudication (decision-making) process to the Mental Health Court Program’s clinical case manager. The clinical case manager, who is on staff with either DSAMH’s Community Mental Health or Treatment Access Centers, assesses the offender using the Locus and other assessment instruments to ensure that the offender has an Axis I diagnosis (criteria for eligibility) prior to their enrollment in the Mental Health Court. The case manager also refers the offender to appropriate community services.

The Court of Common Pleas provides judicial oversight and monitors the progress of offenders enrolled in the Mental Health Court. The Deputy Attorney General and Public Defender assigned to the project work together to ensure that client rights are represented and legal issues addressed. Participants receive a handbook that clearly outlines both the court’s and participant’s responsibilities while involved in the program. Offenders return to court on a regular basis for status hearings before the Mental Health Court Judge, who imposes sanctions and incentives according to the offender’s progress in the program.

The program improves access to community mental health services, relieves prison overcrowding, reduces clinical and legal recidivism (repeat offenses) and improves public safety.

Superior Court’s Veterans Treatment Court helps justice-involved veterans with mental health and substance abuse issues obtain necessary services and reduce recidivism (repeat offenses).

Veterans are identified through specialized screening and assessments and voluntarily participate in a judicially supervised treatment plan developed by a team of court staff, veteran health care professionals, veteran peer mentors and other health and mental health care professionals. Upon admission to the Veterans Treatment Court, the court staff, health care professionals and mentors assist the veteran with an array of stabilization and other services.

The TASC Treatment Access Center provides case management for veteran program participants not eligible for treatment services through the Veterans Administration. This case management consists of assessment, referral, urine monitoring, and status update to the Veteran’s Court. TASC’s knowledge of community-based treatment facilities and programs provides an endless list of resources for veterans who find themselves suffering from substance abuse and mental health related issues. Just as everyone else in the Veteran’s court, TASC’s appointed case manager is also a retired veteran of 24 years of service (USAF) who takes the task of helping fellow veterans as a distinct honor and pleasure.

The Court of Common Pleas Trauma Informed Probation (TIP) program works with women who have suffered trauma, and the Women In Search of Health (WISH) works with women who are arrested for charges of prostitution or loitering. Dedicated probation officers and public defenders are assigned to TIP/WISH participants, as are care advocates who help the women find housing, obtain identification cards and birth certificates, and complete daily errands.  Mental health and addiction treatment services are coordinated through DSAMH’s TASC Treatment Access Center.

TIP/WISH is a collaborative effort of the Court of Common Pleas, Brandywine Counseling & Community Services, Beautiful Gate Outreach Center, and DSAMH’s TASC Treatment Access Center.

As a condition of sentencing for a third DUI (driving under the influence charge), the court requires repeat offenders to participate in at least three months of intensive outpatient treatment. It is the offender’s responsibility to contact the provider at the listed phone number to begin the enrollment process. Those who are not a resident of the State of Delaware should contact Stephanie Stachoni, DUI program coordinator, at (302) 660-9876 or by email at Stephanie.stachoni@delaware.gov. 

Superior Court’s Reentry Court prepares two-time violent convicted felons for re-entry into society. The program represents a unique partnership with Probation/Parole, Sojourner’s Place, Delaware Center for Justice, Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Social Services, Vital Statistics, and Social Security. The TASC Treatment Access Center provides enhanced supervision, assessments, and referrals to appropriate community-based services, and ensures frequent court appearances by participants to update the court on their compliance, as well as their progress. Despite an often substantial criminal history, those who complete the Re-Entry Court program have a much higher rate of employment, education and training than the typical offender population.