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Diversion Courts Adjust Quickly, Leaving no Gaps in Services

CCM has been working with the Office of Problem-Solving Courts on their Mental Health Diversion Program and their Opiate Recovery Court for the last year. We currently have 22 participants combined.  The cases that these participants have are very serious and require continuous outreach to keep them on the track to health and safety. The more connected they are, the less likely they are to break away from the structure of court to return to using drugs or alcohol or to stop attending doctors’ appointments are taking medicine. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, HCAA has continued to serve these clients with technology-based methods. The Case Manager maintains daily contact with clients and participants use their phones and laptops to participate in telehealth appointments and online NA/AA groups. Most importantly, the team uses Skype to host regularly scheduled court dockets.  Clients can call in using video if they need to have access to the Judge. This way, everyone is held accountable, but no one has to experience face-to-face contact during this difficult time. Technology is keeping CCM, the Court, and the participants safe.