The Division of Forensic Mental Health Services includes both an Adult Forensic Mental Health Clinic located at the Erie County Holding Center and the Erie County Correctional Facility, and a Family Court Clinic.
Adult Forensic Mental Health Services include psychiatric evaluation of individuals detained for trial or prior to sentencing, and the care and follow-up treatment of mentally ill individuals under the jurisdiction of the Courts, Probation Department, Correctional Facility and Holding Center.
The Family Court Clinic provides outpatient mental health services to children and adults who are under the jurisdiction of Family Court. These services include emergency assessment in court, linkage and referral, diagnostic evaluation and testing, and mental health consultation. The clinic provides recommendations to the referring judge or county department regarding court disposition or department resolution.
ADULT FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES OBJECTIVES:
- To provide psychiatric evaluations of individuals to determine competency, as ordered by the courts.
- To provide psychiatric treatment to inmates to enable their participation in court proceedings.
- To provide ongoing assessment of inmates on behalf of attorneys, probation and parole officers, and youth detention personnel.
- To provide ongoing psychiatric treatment or mental health services to inmates.
- To provide advocacy and linkage to community mental health services for persons on probation or parole.
- To conduct professional training programs on forensic mental health issues to criminal justice system and law enforcement personnel.
FAMILY COURT OBJECTIVES:
- To provide psychiatric evaluation and mental health assessment for children and adults as ordered by Family Court.
- To provide emergency psychiatric evaluations of children or adults as ordered by the Family Court under Section 251 of the Criminal Procedure Law.
- To refer persons to community based mental health agencies for follow-up services.