In a collaborative effort to address the intersection of mental health and the justice system, La Crosse County recently hosted a groundbreaking Community Mental Health Mapping Workshop. The two-day event brought together a diverse group of more than 50 participants, including service providers, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and members of the judiciary, to examine how individuals with behavioral health disorders interact with the justice system.
The workshop, held January 15-16, is part of a statewide initiative led by the Wisconsin Court System in partnership with the National Center for State Courts, supported through a State Justice Institute grant. Facilitators guided participants in mapping local systems, identifying gaps, and exploring strategies to better connect individuals to support services, reducing unnecessary justice system involvement. Additionally, 15 training facilitators participated in the session, preparing to lead similar workshops in other counties across the state.
Chief Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler, a strong advocate for improving mental health outcomes within the justice system, highlighted the broader vision for the initiative. In a statement read to the participants, she said, “I had the opportunity to visit mental health facilities in Phoenix, Arizona, and to learn about The Miami Model, an innovative mental health court program in Miami-Dade County, Florida. I have seen what’s possible, and I know we can do better in Wisconsin.”
La Crosse County is the first of several pilot locations for this initiative. Sessions will expand to other counties, using trained facilitators from state and local agencies. Chief Judge Scott Horne emphasized the importance of this collaborative approach. “This effort highlights the value of partnerships between the courts and community organizations to address complex challenges like mental health.”
Participants in the La Crosse workshop identified many strengths within the community but also noted gaps in services and systems that need to be addressed. As a result, three workgroups have been formed to focus on these gaps. These workgroups will operate under the umbrella of the La Crosse County Criminal Justice Management Council and will meet on an ongoing basis to implement solutions and improve outcomes.
The event also received support from local partners, including the Mental Health Coalition of the Greater La Crosse Area, the La Crosse Area Community Foundation, and Kwik Trip.
Chief Justice Ziegler further noted how the partnership with the National Center for State Courts has opened new opportunities to expand training: “Through this grant, consultants from the National Center for State Courts are here to help facilitate this session. They have also provided training to staff from several state agencies and county treatment court programs across the state. In this way, county by county, step by step, we will move the needle and improve how individuals with mental illness fare in Wisconsin.”
Looking ahead, trained facilitators from state and county agencies will host similar sessions in additional counties over the next six months, aiming to create a replicable model for addressing mental health challenges across Wisconsin.
Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov