Court program assist juveniles with mental illnesses

From The Flint Journal in Michigan:

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- Tammy Lara watched, feeling helpless, as her son began to change.

As the medication James, 14, used to control a bipolar disorder stopped working and he started using more illegal drugs, Lara's son became a different person.

"He started being aggressive with me at home, trying to hit me," Lara of Mundy Township said. "There was a lot of violence at home."

James was arrested and charged with domestic violence, but now may have a second chance as the first person in a new court program to help juveniles with mental illnesses.

The program, called Juvenile Mental Health Court, is modeled after a similar court program started here two years ago for adults.

Youths with criminal charges who have mental illnesses can voluntarily be entered into the nine-month program. If they stay on medication and follow court rules set by Chief Probate Judge Jennie Barkey, their criminal charges will be dropped.

"We need to get them on medication so life isn't that bad and give them incentives to stay on it," Barkey said. "In turn, we promise we'll help them get the medications right and help them get a start."

James is the first youth to be put in the program, which has its first session on April 27 with Barkey. She expect three more youths, between the ages of 10 and 17, will join for the first session. The program is being paid for with funds from the court and Community Mental Health, Barkey said.

But with a state budget crisis -- the deficit looks to be running at $1.5 billion -- future funding for these programs is in jeopardy. Gov. Jennifer Granholm's budget for next fiscal year does not include money for adult mental health courts. And funding for expansions into juvenile courts is not on anyone's radar.

"I think the general consensus is that these are good programs, but when you look at the budget ... those other programs come after what is most important (such as education and fixing roads)," said State Rep. Paul Scott, R-Grand Blanc Township.

But local officials said the program is needed to stop a vicious cycle of youths entering the system over and over again, continuing as adults.

The juvenile mental health court differs from the adult version in that parents or guardians also will be required to participate and could face court sanctions if they or the youths don't comply with rules.

"It will be different because the juvenile system is a lot different than the adult system," said Dan Russell, chief executive officer of Community Mental Health. "But everyone agrees it's a great idea and very much needed."

For Tammy Lara, the new program is one step in changing a broken system where kids with mental illness are labeled as "bad kids."

"I used to think his only choice was death or being locked up for the rest of his life," Lara said of her son. "Now he may have a chance. If this helps my child, it can save others."