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Projects & Initiatives
Bucks County BH/DP is continually planning for new projects and initiatives to better serve the residents of Bucks County and promote the Vision, Mission and Values of Bucks County Human Services.
While we would like all of these plans to come to fruition, sometimes funding, legislation, or policy changes that are outside of Bucks County's control may cause an initiative to be delayed or canceled.
Below are some of the major projects, initiatives and pilot programs that BH/DP is currently planning, piloting or already engaged with.
The Forensic Diversion, Treatment and Rehabilitation Center will provide a community-based option to support individuals involved with the court system who have serious mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use issues to prevent them from going to jail. The center will also function as a timely re-entry resource from jail, and as a step-down and diversion from the State Hospital and other inpatient forensic treatment facilities.
For updates and more information on the Forensic Treatment Center, please click here.
The Co-Responder Initiative is being piloted by the Bucks County Human Services Division in conjunction with the Bensalem Police Department. The purpose of the initiative is to provide a Human Services response to calls that police officers sometimes get where a person may actually need help through services or supports that law enforcement cannot provide. In those situations, the co-responder can help connect the person with services they need, while also allowing the officer to respond to other calls in the meantime.
Mental Health Court will be a special court track for individuals with a serious, persistent mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorder who are involved with the criminal justice system. Similar to Drug Court, Mental Health Court will be a diversion program that qualifying individuals may participate in rather than be sentenced to jail. Embedded residential supports will be available for some participants based on need and eligibility.
Mental Health Court is projected to be available by the end of Summer 2021.