Court Diversion Program

Mental health diversion is a voluntary pretrial program which may be appropriate for people whose criminal offense is considered low to medium risk (minor assault, theft, mischief, breach of probation etc) and whose mental health needs can be better addressed through connection to services based in the community to prevent recidivism.

Working collaboratively as a team; the client, Crown Attorney and mental health workers will develop a community based diversion plan which will ensure that symptoms of mental health and addictions are addressed.

Once the Crown Attorney has approved the diversion agreement, a Case Manager will work in partnership with the client to encourage a successful outcome by offering support and encouragement while linking them to community supports and services the address the underlying sources of addiction and mental health symptoms. The client and Case Manager will develop a safety and wellness plan together to ensure that the needs of the clients are the top priority of care for the duration of the diversion agreement.

Diversion agreements normally last between 6 – 12 months and when completed successfully can result in a withdrawal of the original charges from the justice system. The intention of the program is to divert people with mental health diagnosis away from the criminal justice system while engaging in services in the mental health system. The connection between the individual and the supports are intended to assist with the clients’ lifelong recovery while preventing recidivism.

Court Support

Court Support Case Managers provide support to people that have been denied for the Court Diversion Program due to not meeting eligibility criteria such as mental health diagnosis or the charges are outside of our scope. Case Managers will provide support to individuals in the court room and connect them to supports in the community if required. They will remind people of their court dates and encourage them to connect with their legal counsel with questions or concerns.

Court Diversion services are available to anyone 12 and over who finds themselves involved with the court system because of a mental health crisis.

Mental health diversion is a voluntary administrative court procedure available to individuals who find themselves involved with the court system as a result of a mental health crisis. The level of offense must be low to medium and the individuals mental health needs would be better supported in the community. Working together as a team, the client, Crown and mental health worker will put together a community based diversion plan. Following the Crown’s approval of the diversion plan, a Case Manager will work in partnership with the client to encourage a successful outcome by offering support and encouragement as well as linking them to other community supports and services. Diversion plans normally last for 6 months and when completed successfully can result in a withdrawal of the original charge(s).

The case manager supports and encourages the client’s growth through following the diversion plan. Service care plans including OCAN are developed and negotiated with the client.

Contact

Court Diversion Worker (Adult)  T: (807) 472-8679
Court Diversion Worker (Adult)  T: (807) 632-9120.                                                                                                                            Court Diversion Worker (Youth) T: (807) 251-5003

Eligibility

• Evidence of a mental health diagnosis or dual diagnosis such as depression, anxiety, personality disorders, PTSD, trauma, schizophrenia, FASD, addictions, etc.
• Client must take responsibility for their actions
• Client must be willing to engage in the diversion agreement

Referral Sources

Referrals to either Adult or Youth Court Diversion programs come from a variety of sources.  Please contact our Court Diversion staff for more information.

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.