The Behavioral Health/Criminal Justice (BH/CJ) of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) meets regularly to facilitate cross-system improvements in order to reduce the penetration of persons with behavioral health issues into the criminal justice system, with an emphasis on reducing racial and ethnic disparities and disproportionate minority contact.
The CJCC and the Lucas County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (MHRSB) created the BHCJ Committee on March 1, 2017, in order to enhance collaboration between the criminal justice and behavioral health systems. This committee is facilitated by the Behavioral Health/Criminal Justice Coordinator and is comprised of elected officials, community members, and representatives from both the criminal justice and behavioral health systems. The BHCJ meets regularly to support and enhance collaboration between the two systems to improve outcomes for individuals, reduce inappropriate incarceration, increase access to services, and enhance public safety.