The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Criminal Mental Health Project (CMHP), established in 2000 in Miami-Dade County, Florida, was created to divert individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI)—such as schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression, or PTSD—or co-occurring SMI and substance use disorders away from the criminal justice system and into comprehensive, community-based treatment and support services.
The program operates two primary components:
- Pre-booking jail diversion through Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for law enforcement officers.
- Post-booking jail diversion for individuals booked into the county jail while awaiting adjudication.
In addition, the CMHP offers a range of overlay services designed to:
- Streamline screening and identification of eligible participants.
- Develop evidence-based reentry plans that ensure appropriate linkages to treatment and support services.
- Improve outcomes for individuals with histories of noncompliance with treatment.
- Expedite access to federal and state entitlement benefits.
By addressing service gaps and fostering strong, innovative partnerships among stakeholders, the CMHP provides an effective and cost-efficient solution to a persistent community challenge—improving public safety and enhancing the welfare of one of our community's most vulnerable populations.
Contacts:
For additional information regarding the CMHP, please contact:
The Honorable Maria E. Verde-Yanez
Administrative Judge, Unified Problem-Solving Courts Division
Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building
1351 NW 12th Street, Chambers 405
Miami, Florida 33125
Tel: 305-548-5103
Fax: 305-548-5105
mverde@jud11.flcourts.org
Tim Coffey
CMHP Problem-Solving Court Coordinator
Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building
1351 NW 12 Street, Room 226
Miami, FL 33125
Tel: (305) 548-5223
tcoffey@jud11.flcourts.org
Program Components
The CMHP operates two primary components: Pre-Booking Diversion (Crisis Intervention Team training for law enforcement officers) and Post-Booking Diversion (serving individuals booked into the county jail and awaiting adjudication).