(L-R): State Court Behavioral Health Administrator Office of Behavioral Health, Indiana Supreme Court Brittany Kelly, J.D., M.S.W., L.S.W.; Pulaski County Prosecutor Kelly Gaumer, Circuit Judge Mary Welker, Superior Court Judge Crystal Kocher and Katie Surma of Pulaski County Navigator.

Indiana’s Office of Behavioral Health was created to aid courts in addressing the serious mental health and substance use issues confronted daily. The office connects judicial officers and justice system stakeholders to resources in their communities by providing education on matters of behavioral health.

Pulaski County started its comprehensive Community Navigator initiative in March, 2023 in partnership with the Pulaski County Community Foundation. The Navigator works in partnership with other established local agencies to connect individuals in need of education, food and housing assistance, as well as other emergent needs.

The state program will specifically aim to recognize and respond appropriately to mental health, substance use, and co-occurring conditions in the courts. Kelly recently spent a day shadowing Pulaski County’s Community Navigator and connected with the Pulaski County Community Foundation Director Leeann Wright, Pulaski County Jail Commander Stephen Tabler, Superior Court Judge Crystal Kocher, Circuit Court Judge Mary Welker, Prosecutor Kelly Gaumer, and Public Defender Christopher Stidham to gain insight on the roles, impact, and importance of the Pulaski County Community Navigator to the individuals involved in the justice system.

The Navigator has recorded service to approximately 1,576 individuals since March 2023. In addition to connecting individuals with necessary mental health and substance use services, the Navigator strives to positively impact the community by reducing recidivism, increasing evidence-based programing in the county jail, and connecting with service providers statewide. Overall, this will lead to a reduction in the financial impact of substance use and poor mental health in the county.

The Pulaski County Courts welcome a partnership with the Indiana Office of Behavioral Health and strive to create collaborative solutions between state and county agencies to improve the health and safety of the community. The Pulaski County Navigator Program was recently recognized at NAMI Indiana Mental Health and Criminal Justice Summit, as well as the Indiana Rural Health Association Virtual Summit by the Office of Behavioral Health for its innovation in connecting individuals in desperate need to substance use and mental health treatment.

Pulaski Superior Court Judge Crystal A. Kocher notes, “The Community Navigator position is one that was born of collaboration between many county partners and demonstrates how we can change our community at the most foundational level. Care about people, provide them the necessary resources and treatment, expect them to succeed by holding them accountable and believing in them, and we will begin to see a shift in our community. It will be a safer, healthier, more financially secure place for all of us. We are happy to share our model with other counties and work with the Office of Behavioral Health to further improve services to our community.”

All Pulaski County residents, and those currently involved in the Pulaski County justice system, may be referred to the Pulaski County Navigator. Referrals can come from any source, including friends, family, self, attorney or court referral.