BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- The county Community Services Department has received funding from New York State to add two mental health court navigators to the system, but filling those roles may prove challenging.

Legislators approved a resolution to accept the funds, $199,677, for the two positions.

Community Services Director Jay Ullrich confirmed to legislators the funds would cover the salaries and benefits for the two roles for one year, allowing the county to hire two individuals to be embedded in the County Court and Ogdensburg City Court.

Ullrich said the two staffers will handle a range of tasks, including evaluations and efforts to address "barriers to mental health treatment."

He said the navigators will work with the courts and interface closely with community partners to "foster the connection to behavioral health services."

According to Ullrich, the needs of the new program will best be met by creating and filling case manager positions.

He said those hired will play a key role in ensuring persons in the criminal justice system make their court dates, eliminating a number of pitfalls that occur for individuals suffering with mental health issues.

"Do you have any idea who's going to fill this or will it be internal moves for this?" Legislator David Forsythe asked.

Ullrich said his department had yet to identify anyone yet, commenting that they felt it was best to hire case workers because they are "much more abundant."

"We've had a number of licensed clinician openings, really for years," Ullrich said.

As for the status of the funding, Legislator Joseph Lightfoot raised concerns about the longevity of the program when he asked if the funding was a guarantee.

"Is this funding for a year, two years, what's the length of the funding?" he asked.

Ullrich said he was informed the funding would be annually recurring unless "something catastrophic happens with the NYS budget."

But Lightfoot still raised concerns, saying it appeared the funding was "based on the goodwill of the state of New York."

Ullrich said that was true, that the funding was based on state officials' efforts to keep the program funded in the future.

If funding is reduced or eliminated, the positions will not become county-funded without additional board of legislators approval, according to county officials.

As for who is most likely to receive aid through the navigators, Legislator Ben Hull wanted to know if it would be based on a first-come-first-served basis or whether it would be prioritization based on need.

Ullrich said the department did not have enough experience with the two courts yet to make a determination, commenting that his office and the navigators would try to work closely with the various offices involved, including the District Attorney's Office, Public Defender, Indignant Defense to ensure individuals who needed assistance would receive it.

He said it was important for Community Services to get the word out once the two navigators are hired so they would be able to reach out to those who may need extra help and services.

"Has the state provided any evidentiary support as to the effectiveness of this program?" Hull asked.

Ullrich said the state has assigned an individual to offer support moving forward.

"So, what us and other counties that were awarded this funding start with may not be what we end up with based on learned experience over time," Ullrich said.

Ullrich said individuals in the system would likely be tied to a navigator for "a week or two" until they can be linked to the services needed and receive referrals for continuing assistance.

He commented that the case managers will be most effective in those settings and working under those timelines.

The measure now moves to the full board for final approval in April.

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