Research

Explore our library of research products including academic publications, reports on research and outcomes, policy briefs, videos of webinars, animations, and more. Research products are organized by initiative and/or by type, with the most recent items at the top of the list. Search by topic with the search bar at the top of the page.
 
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    July 2020
    Summer 2020 Newsletter
    A new generation reacts to structural racism; COVID-19 in the Michigan Youth Justice System: Crisis, Response & Opportunity; Special Report reviews jail incarceration in the Wayne County Jail; CBHJ convenes hundreds of community partners for inaugural Opioid Treatment Ecosystem Summit; and more.
    Diversion
    Reentry
    Treatment ecosystems
    Youth justice
    Wayne County jail/mental health initiative
    Newsletter
  • A distorted image of an unidentifiable person walking down a hallway of open jail cells.
    May 2020
    Stepping Up Technical Assistance Data Outcomes and Technical Assistance Processes Across Five Stepping Up Counties
    This report describes SU technical assistance services provided and highlights data outcomes across the first five counties engaged with the CBHJ. These outcomes were analyzed from the results of standardized screening instruments collected on a sample of individuals as they booked into each county jail. The screening instrument detected symptoms of severe mental illness (SMI) using the Kessler-6 (K6), substance use disorder (SUD), co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders (COD), recidivism, and housing stability. Results of current jail processes for identifying SMI are also presented, along with the process for providing follow-up referral and services to those with SMI.
    Diversion
    Report
  • Illustration of three clipboards with checklists on them.
    April 2020
    Identification, referral, and services for individuals with serious mental illness across multiple jails
    This study evaluates eight county jails’ processes for identification, referral and services for individuals with mental health (MH) concerns. Identification of serious mental illness (SMI) through “practice as usual” and through a validated screening instrument were compared/contrasted for individuals across eight jails. Findings show the instrument to be consistent in identifying proportion of persons with SMI across each county, but the proportion identified by jail staff through “practice as usual” varied greatly. Additionally, referral to—and receipt of—subsequent services for the staff-identified individuals varied greatly, leading to recommendations for improved processes.
    Diversion
    Publication
  • Illustration of a document on a clipboard. The document has items checked off on it.
    March 2020
    Screening for mental health and substance misuse in Michigan jails
    This policy brief discusses the Michigan Mental Health Diversion Council (MMHDC) and the Wayne State University Center for Behavioral Health and Justice (CBHJ) recommendation that the State of Michigan adopt valid screening for mental health and substance us disorder – particularly risk of withdrawal – at jail intake that is consistent across the state. Currently, screening practices across Michigan’s 83 jails are not consistent, and most do not use standardized measures. This brief discusses the benefits of standardized screens, quick facts about substance use and mental health disorder identification in Michigan jails, and recommendations for modifying MDOC Administrative Rules as well as various options counties can use for mental health and substance withdrawal/misuse screens.
    Diversion
    Policy brief
  • In the center of the image, two hands are putting two puzzle pieces together. A web of connected avatar icons surrounds the hands putting together the puzzle pieces.
    March 2020
    Using boundary spanners for cross-system collaboration
    This policy brief discusses the Michigan Mental Health Diversion Council (MMHDC) and the Wayne State University Center for Behavioral Health and Justice (CBHJ) recommendation for the State of Michigan to use ‘boundary spanners’ who can work across criminal/legal and treatment systems to facilitate both diversion from jail and optimal community re-entry. Boundary spanners play a crucial role in connecting individuals with serious mental illness to services. The brief shares quick facts regarding diversion as well as mental health and substance use services within Michigan jails. Recommendations for how Michigan can support the use of boundary spanners across the state are also provided.
    Diversion
    Policy brief
  • A closeup of the lock of a jail cell with iron bars and a key in the locking mechanism with the door open
    March 2020
    Recommended best practices for jail diversion for individuals with mental health disorders
    The Michigan Mental Health Diversion Council (MMHDC) and the Wayne State University Center for Behavioral Health and Justice (WSU CBHJ) have identified recommendations for state and county administrators based on data from pilot projects in 10 counties. These recommendations will support improved identification, referral and service delivery, and decrease incarceration for those with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Recommendations include valid screening for mental health and substance use disorders at jail intake that is consistent statewide, the use of ‘boundary spanners’ across criminal/legal and treatment systems, increased training for law enforcement/corrections officers, and identifying alternative locations for officers to divert individuals from jail.
    Diversion
    Policy brief
  • Image taken from behind a police car with lights on driving away
    March 2020
    Alternate drop-off locations for individuals with serious mental illness
    The Michigan Mental Health Diversion Council (MMHDC) and Wayne State’s Center for Behavioral Health and Justice (CBHJ) recommend that each county identify alternative locations to divert individuals with symptoms of serious mental health issues from jail. The majority of communities in Michigan have no viable alternative drop-off sites available to law enforcement. As a result, jail is often the only option for officers to take an individual in crisis who needs to be transported from an emergency scene. This policy brief provides background information on the issue, quick facts, and possible alternatives to incarceration for individuals with serious mental illness.
    Diversion
    Policy brief
  • The Sequential Intercept Model displaying the 5 points that individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders may come in contact with throughout the criminal/legal system
    February 2020
    Recommended Best Practices for Jail Diversion for Individuals with Mental Health Disorders
    The Michigan Mental Health Diversion Council (MMHDC) was established in 2013 with the intent and focus of diverting individuals with mental health disorders and/or developmental disabilities from the criminal/legal system across the state. In 2014, the MMHDC, through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), sought proposals for interventions at one or more intercept points (e.g. Sequential Intercept Model1 (SIM)) to enhance diversion opportunities.
    Diversion
    Toolkit
  • A hallway inside of a jail containing numerous jail cells
    February 2020
    Women in Michigan Jails
    This report uses pilot data from ten Michigan counties to examine demographics, behavioral health outcomes, and diversion program experiences of women during and after jail stays. Analyses compare women and men, and women of color and white women, to assess differences by sex and race. While the State of Michigan currently lacks the data infrastructure to comprehensively assess jails across all 83 counties, this report provides robust estimates about the jail system statewide.
    Diversion
    Report
  • Close up of a hand holding onto jail cell bars
    February 2020
    Women in Michigan jails: using pilot data to examine demographics, behavioral health outcomes, and diversion program experiences of women during and after jail stays
    This report highlights data from ten Michigan counties that served as mental health jail diversion pilot sites. The purpose of this report is to use pilot county data to provide policymakers, criminal/legal systems personnel and legislators with robust current estimates about the population of women jailed in Michigan. The report begins with an overview of national trends in women’s jail incarceration, with a particular focus on serious mental illness (SMI) and substance use disorders (SUD) among jailed women. The authors then narrow their focus to Michigan specifically and examine these two domains using data from pilot counties. Recommendations based on the analyses are offered.
    Diversion
    Report