Mental Health Court
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Mental Health Court: is a 3-phase intervention program designed for adults with pending criminal offenses and who are eligible for appropriate services with Community Partners or qualifying Mental Health Agencies. It is a collaborative effort between the 7th Circuit Court District Division—Rochester, Strafford County Community Corrections, Strafford County Commissioners, and Community Partners. By working together, these agencies seek to provide court supervision, community monitoring, case management, and mental health treatment geared toward supporting and helping defendants maintain a more healthy lifestyle. Mental Health Court involves frequent court appearances, and random drug testing on a case by case basis,as well as group and individual counseling. Mental Health Court awards incentives for healthy, appropriate behavior and imposes sanctions for negative behavior. Participants who do not comply with the regulations and conditions of MHC may be subject to sanctions up to and including termination from Mental Health Court. Mental Health Court has been in session since June of 2007. Visitors are welcome with prior authorization. Please contact Mental Health Court Director Blair Rowlett. |
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Program Goals *Reduce the recidivism rates among people with mental health diagnoses. *Promote engagement in treatment and improve quality of life. *Increase community awareness and safety. *Provide defendants with proper coping skills in regards to their individual mental health issues and live a more productive life. *Provide outreach and support to defendants throughout the judicial process.
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Presiding Justice of the Strafford County Mental Health Court Honorable Susan W. Ashley Hon. Susan W. Ashley was appointed as Special Justice for Rochester Circuit Court on June 7, 2006, was designated as a Family Division Judge on January 4, 2008 and as a Circuit Court Judge on July 1, 2011. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1990 and her Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School in 1993. Her previously employment includes positions as a Judicial Clerk for the New Hampshire Superior Court, Deputy County Attorney for Strafford County, Deputy Clerk for Strafford Superior Court and New Hampshire Judicial Branch Family Division Administrator. Judge Ashley implemented the Strafford County Employability Program, the only child support program in New Hampshire to supervise parental accountability while supporting obligors in finding and maintaining employment. She collaborates on the Bridge Project with Dartmouth Medical School’s Trauma Interventions Research Center and child protection and juvenile justice agencies in New Hampshire, to establish a trauma-informed juvenile justice system, including screening all delinquency cases for potential trauma treatment. Currently, Judge Ashley presides over Mental Health Court in the 7th Circuit Court—Rochester District Division. State of New Hampshire Judicial Branches and Information http://www.courts.state.nh.us/index.htm
Program Contact Information: Blair Rowlett, Mental Health Supervision Director, Strafford County IEA Coordinator Phone: 603-749-0832 ext 5182 Fax: 603-740-2955
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