TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Instead of asking, “What did you do?” This court asks, “What do you need?” Troy City Court has recently launched an Alternative Treatment Court, designed for people with mental illness and focusing on support and care rather than incarceration.
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New York State has several specialty courts, including drug, veterans, and mental health courts. They are designed to address underlying issues rather than rely solely on punishment. Launched in August, Troy’s alternative treatment court — or ATC — connects people with mental illness to a resource coordinator who helps guide them through the program.
Laura Stoddard is a Resource Coordinator with Troy City Court. She spoke about why having a bond with the participants is important, saying, “Building trust is the most important. I feel for any participant to be willing to engage in the court, having somebody that they can rely on– that they can call when they’re struggling– is my most important step for them.”
Participants undergo a mental health evaluation and are then matched with services tailored to their individual needs. This can include therapy, medication management, and support from community partners.
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“A lot of participants will also have co-occurring substance use issues, so being able to offer resources for substance use as well is going to be a big step. Enhancing the lives and creating a safer community,” continued Stoddard…