Search this site
   
About Membership Conference Public Policy Resources Contact

Recently Added

 
follow me on Twitter  
 
Sign up for our Email List
For Email Marketing you can trust
 
 

Support FMHAC by giving a
tax deductable donation



The Forensic Mental Health Association of California

Monterey Bay

FMHAC provides support and education to professionals in the forensic mental health field.

The Forensic Mental Health Association of California is committed to the goal of first-rate forensic mental health care in California through quality education and training to the professionals who need it.

There is tremendous need for mental health care in prisons and jails; the US Department of Justice reports that about 16 percent of the population in prison or jail has a mental illness, compared with approximately 5% of the general population. One 1999 study found that the Los Angeles County Jail and Riker's Island in New York each held more people with mental illnesses than the largest psychiatric inpatient facilities in the United States. While the criminal justice system is not an ideal setting for mental health care, it is often the first opportunity for mentally ill individuals to receive the treatment they need. It's a complicated and expensive endeavor involving mental health clinicians, law enforcement, corrections, and the courts and FMHAC is committed to supporting these professionals and improving the care incarcerated mentally ill individuals receive.

We provide an essential voice in California by training forensic mental health professionals, educating the public and giving support to legislation that improves the system in which we provide treatment to mentally ill individuals.

Our main activities include an annual 3-day conference near Monterey, CA, for a wide variety of professionals with interests in forensic mental health, member updates on events and happenings in the field, and legislative activities affecting people working in forensic mental health and their clients.

Read more about FMHAC and our conference.

 

announcements


2010 Call for Papers

We invite you to participate in our 2010 conference. This year’s theme, Integrating Disciplines: Affirming Our Core Values, emphasizes the need to work together and to support core activities as budgets are cut. We are seeking proposals that address best practices and legal issues/changes in forensic mental health, highlight innovative programs and discuss other ways to help solve difficult issues in the field. Presentations addressing current concerns, research, treatment and assessment in forensic mental health are also welcome.

Click here for more information

horizontal line


Grant Opportunites

Mentoring
The Bureau of Justice Assistance is offering these grants to provide mentoring and other transitional services that increase success in reentry and reduce recidivism, including housing, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, and post-release case management.

More information: Mentoring Grants for Non-Profits

Collaborative Intervention Trials
The NIMH and the NIAAA seek to support collaborative intervention trials in the treatment, prevention or rehabilitation of those with mental disorders and alcohol use disorders and comorbid mental disorders.

More information: Collaborative Intervention Trials

horizontal line

Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (MIOTCRA)

Through MIOTCRA, states and local governments have received funding for collaborative criminal justice/mental health programs intended to improve public safety and outcomes for people with mental illnesses. This bill continues funding these programs.

Send a letter to your Senators and Representative, asking them to support continued MIOTCRA funding.

horizontal line

Juvenile Justice Act Request for FY 2010

The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA or S678) was reintroduced on March 24 and would increase federal funding and changes to policy to support prevention, intervention, and treatment programs designed to reduce juvenile crime and keep youth out of the justice system.
A key goal of the JJDPA is to help reduce crime and recidivism among youths, authorizes funding for mental health and drug treatment for juvenile offenders, and encourages states to address the overrepresentation of minorities in the juvenile justice system.

Click here for more public policy updates from the National Council.

horizontal line

 

FMHAC 2008