Forensic Pre-Trial Program

Our goal is to reduce criminal incarceration and mental health hospitalizations through community-based behavioral health intervention services. By addressing these issues, we hope to lower incarceration costs, length of incarceration, and recidivism.

The Florida Department of Children and Families (FDCF) has contracted with Big Bend Community Based Care, Inc. (BBCBC) to administer their programs in Okaloosa County. Our Forensic Pre-Trial Program (MHPP) program is a voluntary accountability program that requires participants to be actively involved in their recovery. The program is designed to serve up to 15 participants at a time for up to ninety (90) days. Participants can be a combination of occupants and those who live in the community and come to the program daily.

The MHPP provides comprehensive, integrated behavioral health services and care coordination with community providers, supports, and the judicial system. Participants are diagnosed with a mental health or co-occurring mental health and substance use condition that may have contributed to their arrest. The program uses a recovery-oriented system of care model that works through the collaboration of the pre-trial release system, the State Attorney, defense attorneys, judges, probation authorities, and local behavioral health service providers. Recovery planning is designed to meet each person’s individual needs with their support system’s input.

The MHPP is utilized in several different ways: 1) as a condition of bond, 2) as a condition of Mental Health Court, and 3) as a condition of sentence. The program aims to promote individual wellness and positively impact public safety. Bridgeway Center, Inc. is excited to partner with Okaloosa County in this health initiative. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the program, please don’t hesitate to contact us.