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APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED ON A QUARTERLY BASIS
Supporting innovative behavioral health interventions in local communities to divert and deflect defendants from the competency restoration process
Applying for Fines Committee Funding
FC
Please email Lynn Unger, Competency Projects Cultivator, with your intent to apply and to schedule a time to review the application process. Applications are reviewed and funding decisions are made on a quarterly basis by the Fines Committee. The total amount of Fines Committee funding available for projects is subject to the fines levied by the Consent Decree, which may vary by fiscal year, and is not expected to extend past 2027.
Information about applying
The Fines Committee team helps jurisdictions develop programs/ideas and implement processes/programs to better serve individuals with behavioral health needs who often end up or are in the legal competency process, ultimately reducing the restoration waitlist. Through the development and implementation of an idea or program, there can be an opportunity for Fines funding.
Development and implementation
The Fines Committee team collaborates with jurisdictions and stakeholders to work together to find simple or complex solutions to implement. As Colorado is made up of urban, suburban, rural, and frontier communities, the Fines Committee recognizes the needs of communities vary greatly and supports communities in developing an approach on their own that meets their specific needs and the populations they serve.
Supporting needs of communities
Each jurisdiction in Colorado has assigned Bridges Liaisons and Forensic Support Team Navigators. These individuals work directly with the competency population and can be helpful in understanding the needs of the population in your jurisdiction. Additional information can be found here for the Forensic Support Team and the Bridges Liaisons.
ARE THERE ANY STATE PROGRAMS THAT CURRENTLY SERVE THE COMPETENCY POPULATION?
The Fines Committee has identified the following priority areas for funding: supportive housing, diversion, deflection-intervention, and innovative court initiatives (i.e. competency dockets, multidisciplinary stakeholder meetings). Programs with innovative ideas are encouraged to apply, as well as rural communities and agencies.
ARE THERE ANY AREAS OF PRIORITY IN FUNDING?
Funded programs are expected to work with the Fines Committee Auditors/Monitors, Strategy & Evaluation, LLC, to provide program data on a quarterly basis. Strategy & Evaluation also works with programs to address barriers and gaps funded programs may experience. On an annual basis, the Fines Committee will conduct site visits of all programs.
If funding is approved, what is expected of the program?
Decisions on funding proposals are made each quarter. The typical process includes the following: applications are reviewed by the Fines Committee, follow-up information and questions are relayed to applicants, and the Fines Committee makes a decision. Please contact Lynn Unger, Competency Projects Cultivator, to review application deadlines.
HOW LONG DOES THE FUNDING DECISION PROCESS TAKE?
Frequently Asked Questions
SOCRATES
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