Adult Criminal Justice Services

Forensic In Jail Mental Health Services -New Horizons contracts with Indian River County to provide direct intervention to meet the needs of emotionally disturbed adults held in correctional facilities. Referrals are made by correctional agencies.  

 

The direct services consist of psychiatric evaluations, psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, prescription of and monitoring of medications, counseling with the individual and medication management.

 

For additional information call (772) 569-6700 in Indian River County.

 

Forensic Substance Abuse Intervention Programs - New Horizons contracts with Indian River County and Martin County to provide Substance Abuse Intervention Programs for inmates. The programs consist of structured services targeted toward individuals or groups at risk. The programs focus on reducing those factors associated with the onset or the early stages of substance abuse and related problems. Substance abuse intervention programs, aftercare, and counseling are available in the contracted jail sites.  

 

Referrals are made by individual inmate request, forensic mental health, and by jail staff. The intervention programs: Steps to Recovery in Martin County Jail, and Steps to Freedom in Indian River County Jail consist of 6-10 week closed groups and are cyclical. Group work is based on the Hazelden Mind-Body approach, 12-step influence, and addictive Brain Process. Public defenders and state attorney offices may be contacted when appropriate to coordinate court ordered evaluations or intervention treatment.

 

Mental Health Court Saint Lucie County - New Horizons is participating in Mental Health Court, an innovative program in St. Lucie County that addresses the needs of individuals with mental illness who are charged with a crime. This successful program is a collaboration with the judiciary, the Public Defender’s office, the State’s Attorney’s office and area mental health and substance abuse treatment providers.

 

The judiciary has created a specialized court docket for defendants living with mental illness. Mental Health Court substitutes a problem-solving model instead of the traditional court processing.  Eligible participants are identified through referrals from the State’s attorney and the Public Defender and participation is voluntary. 

 

Professionals from New Horizons work with the defendants to help them navigate the judicially supervised treatment plan and obtain the necessary services and treatment in the community.  Rather than remaining in the jail system, the participants receive care more appropriate to their needs. The reward for successfully completing their customized treatment plan is having their charges dismissed.