The Misdemeanor Incompetent to Stand Trial (MIST) Program serves defendants in Los Angeles that are facing misdemeanor charges but found to be incompetent to stand trial. This population is often chronically homeless with mental health disorders and, without alternative resources must remain in the County Jail until their maximum sentence is served or are restored to competency. The Los Angeles’ Health Agency’s Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR) has addressed the needs of this population through a diversion program that places them in residential community settings. The goal of MIST is to have these individuals treated in the community, while still under an active Court order. Once they are restored to competency, they can then continue to attend Court dates.
This particular HealthRIGHT360 (HR360) MIST program will consist of 40 clients in a private, co-ed residential setting and will include an on-site Master’s level clinician, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Psychiatrist, Case Managers, Facility Monitors, Administrative Staff and a House Manager. The HR360 multi-disciplinary team will be developing a clinical track for the population. The program operates on Harm Reduction and Housing First principles. Harm Reduction is a set of policies, programs and practices that aim primarily to reduce the adverse health, social and economic consequences of the use of legal and illegal psychoactive drugs. The Housing First model is an approach that offers housing as quickly as possible for individuals experiencing homelessness, and then provides the supportive services and connections to the community-based supports people need to keep their housing.
Job ID: 235308212