The Vermont Judiciary Commission on Mental Health and the Courts, through its Committee on Mental Illness and Intellectual Disability Training, will host a webinar titled "Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment within Correctional Facilities 101." This event is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at noon. It aims to provide an overview of the care system in Vermont Correctional Facilities for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.
The session will cover various topics, including general health data in Vermont correctional facilities with a focus on psychiatric hospitalization rates. It will also address the workflow for co-occurring mental health and substance use issues from intake onward, medication continuation within facilities, available treatment options, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), the Serious Functional Impairment (SFI) designation and related services, an overview of mental health units, Act 78 along with the MOU with DMH, discharge planning processes, as well as barriers and challenges to care.
Presenters for this session include Colleen Nilsen, DOC Chief of Mental Health Services, and Josh Rutherford, Facilities Division Deputy Director.