Court Services

Stephanie Rudow, LMSW

srudow@lapeercmh.org

Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment & Co-Occuring Disorder Services 

Program Supervisor

Innovative Programs to bring the best alternatives for persons with mental health needs who may be jailed.

Lapeer County Community Mental Health works collaboratively with community partners in the criminal justice system to identify individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, co-occurring substance use disorder, and/or Intellectual /developmental disabilities to offer appropriate treatment and support in lieu of incarceration when appropriate. 

LCCMH Services are not meant to allow someone to avoid the legal penalties for their personal behaviors, but to offer an alternative to incarceration.  The focus of the programs is on personal responsibility with close monitoring. 

Anyone can refer an individual for jail diversion or mental health court by calling the Lapeer County Community Mental Health Law Enforcement Liaison at 810-667-0500.  Each case is reviewed on an individual basis.  The primary difference between Jail Diversion and Mental Health Court is the level of care and support given.  

Jail Diversion Services:

Jail Diversion Services are for individuals with a suspected mental health need as noted above and who are alleged to have committed a misdemeanor or  certain felonies and who agree to participate in the diversion process. Diversions can occur at pre-booking or post-booking. Each diversion is different and based on the situation and needs of the person served.  Each diversion has a detailed individual agreement that is developed and signed by the individual, law enforcement liaison and the court representative.  If more than one appointment is missed, the person returns to court for sentencing on the original charge. 

Mental Health Court:  

Mental Health Court Services are intensive support services for individuals with an identified mental health need as noted above and who have been charged with a crime of misdemeanor or certain felony and have agreed to participate in the Mental Health Court process as an alternative to incarceration. 

Lapeer County Mental Health Court removes defendants from the crowded courtrooms of the traditional criminal justice system and places them in a new type of courtroom environment.

• Mental Health treatment
• Regular appearances before the judge
• Weekly meetings with the Mental Health Court Probation Officer
• Weekly meetings with a peer support specialist
• Substance Use Disorder treatment for those with a Co-Occurring Disorder
• Substance use testing
• Close supervision

Additional Law Enforcement Services Offered by LCCMH:

• LCCMH evaluates people in crisis at the Lapeer County Jail
• LCCMH provides psychiatric consultation to inmates as requested by the jail physician
• LCCMH Peer Support Specialist may assist inmates with Medicaid applications
• LCCMH staff provide support and training to law enforcement agencies regarding mental health issues and services offered at LCCMH.

Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM) 

Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM) is an evidenced based group model to assist in providing psychoeducation to those who have suffered from a traumatic life experience. We currently run groups in the jail in an order to reduce recidivism and to provide an introduction to mental health services for this population. It is the hope that these individuals will continue to with mental health services outside of the jail setting.