Boone County Commission approves mental health initiative

The Boone County Commission approved a new program Monday morning aimed at helping people with mental health issues in jail.

It’s called the White House Data-Driven Justice Initiative.

So far, more than 100 other jurisdictions already submit data about why inmates with mental health problems are in jail.

The data is then used to select resources designed to help keep inmates from becoming repeat offenders.

District II Commissioner Janet Thompson said, “We have so many people that are coming into our jail, and part of this whole initiative is looking at how we can divert people from the jail in the first place.”

The White House Data-Driven Justice Initiative was free for Boone County to join.

Commissioners said they are already seeing results.