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Dr. David Stephens, dean of University of the Rockies’ School of Professional Psychology, has been named a subject matter expert for a new study and program from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. The program is being funded with a grant from the Major County Sheriff’s Association. Work on the grant will begin on March 9, 2015.

The community-oriented policing grant is designed to reduce arrests and incarcerations for the mentally ill. The National Commission on Correctional Health Care will create programs and practices to be used by member sheriffs to divert individuals with serious mental health issues away from incarceration and direct them to professional mental health providers and networks.

Dr. Stephens has been named to the team to assist with curriculum development, planning, and helping with the process, along with identifying and developing programs to deal with the population of mentally ill persons currently incarcerated. He is an expert in correctional mental health, having served as the Director of Mental Health for several state Departments of Correction, including in the role of chief of Behavioral Health Services for the Colorado Department of Corrections. He has also developed and overseen mental health programs in jails of all sizes across the United States.

Results from the study and program development will be available in late 2015.

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