The Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health is hosting nine town hall meetings across the state through Nov. 29 to garner input for changing how the justice system addresses people with challenges involving mental illness, substance use and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities. Four of the town halls have already taken place, with five remaining.
"The commission wants to hear from people and/or their families with lived experience in this area as well as business owners, civic leaders and anyone else with an interest," says a news release. "The findings will be used to help guide the work of the commission and associated groups and to design training for the state court system and its justice partners."
Those who are unable to attend, but want to share their experiences of navigating the courts or the behavioral health system can do so by emailing JCMH@kycourts.net. ASL interpreters will be provided and those with other language or accessibility needs should email JCMH@kycourts.net.
The first four town halls were held in Owensboro, Covington, Ashland and London.
All of the meetings take place from 6 to 8 p.m. local time. Dates and locations for the remaining town halls are as follows:
- Oct. 11 – Lexington, Central Bank Center, 430 W. Vine St.
- Oct. 25 – Paducah-McCracken County Convention & Expo Center, 415 Park Ave.
- Nov. 8 – Louisville, Kentucky International Convention Center, 221 S. 4th St.
- Nov. 15 – Pikeville, Appalachian Wireless Arena, 126 Main St.
- Nov. 29 – Bowling Green, Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace
The Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health was established in August 2022 and is charged with exploring, recommending and implementing transformational changes to improve systemwide responses to justice-involved people with mental health challenges, substance use issues and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Toward this end, the commission held its first Mental Health Summit in Louisville on May 31 through June 2, with more than 1,000 people in attendance. The town halls are expected to build on this success, says the release.
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