Court Diversion & Court Support

The Court Diversion Program is a cooperative venture between the Criminal Justice System and the Mental Health System.  The program provides direct service to individuals who have a mental illness and who have been charged with a minor offence.  To be eligible for the Court Diversion Program individuals must:

• be diagnosed with a serious mental illness
• be 16 years of age or older
• have been charged with a minor offence
• agree to participate in the mental health diversion, as it is strictly voluntary
• be recommended by the Crown Attorney

Mental Health Counsellors in the Court Diversion Program Provide:

• assist individuals appropriate for diversion to access and utilize mental health and other supports and services
• assist the judicial system to identify and divert adults with mental illness
• provide consultation services to all persons/families with special needs appearing before the courts, regardless of the nature of the charges
• provide short-term support or facilitate the transfer to more enhanced/intensive services or to a longer-term Mental Health Counsellor

Court Diversion Enhancement

The Court Diversion Enhancement Program provides transitional community-based services and direct service to individuals who are on a Court Diversion plan or at minimum have had involvement with the Court Diversion program.  Services include at minimum:  assessment and planning, supportive counselling, service co-ordination, monitoring/evaluation, systems advocacy, transportation and support at court appearances.  This transitional service is intended to be time-limited (up to four months consecutive) after which the client may be transferred to a Mental Health Counsellor for case management.  This program also includes an affordable housing component.

Printable information about Court Diversion is available here (Pdf).

Printable information about Justice Case Management is available here (Pdf).