The Mountain Plains Mental Health and Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) team, in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and state probation and parole offices, conducted an electronic survey in November and December 2019. The survey was distributed electronically to probation and parole officers in all six states located in the United States Department of Health & Human Services Region 8 in order to identify specific mental health training needs. Results will assist the Mountain Plains MHTTC staff to better serve correctional officers and stakeholders throughout the region. Additionally, the survey results will inform the development of new products, training materials, and technical assistance requests. This work includes expanding collaborations with entities serving probation and parole staff to address the training needs described.
The full report includes an overall assessment, a presentation of training needs among rural and urban probation and parole officers, varied training needs between probation and parole, and state specific reports.
North Dakota Probation and Parole: Mental Health Training Needs
South Dakota Probation and Parole: Mental Health Training Needs
A host of resources currently exist to serve the mental health training and technical assistance needs of both probation and parole staff, as well as other professionals who work with justice-involved individuals.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration funds and supports over a dozen programs and initiatives that can assist those who work with justice-involved individuals who also have a mental health and/or substance use disorder. These resources, toolkits, trainings, and webpages promote early intervention and treatment as healthier alternatives to detainment, help identify treatment resources, locate housing assistance, and address integrated care, among other topics.
Several organizations, associations, and governmental agencies have begun to address the mental health and substance use disorder needs among individuals involved in the criminal justice system. These resources include technical assistance manuals, diversion interventions, best practices, data reports, and a list of resources that provide a wealth of information about state, federal, and organizational resources for probation and parole officials.
