Cross -systems mapping as a collaborative tool for the mental health and criminal justice systems

Individuals with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) occasionally experience a manifestation of the illness that results in their involvement with the criminal justice system. Their encounters with the system may increased stigma, created barriers, and decrease quality of life. This study is an evaluation of the cross systems mapping (CSM) process as it was implemented by the Division of Mental Health Services (DMHS) to develop collaboration between the mental health and the criminal justice systems within specified counties of a northeastern U.S. state. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CSM process being conducted by DMHS as both systems endeavored to create jail diversion strategies by closing system gaps and providing appropriate services to individuals diagnosed with SPMI. The collaborative process and process evaluation was accomplished through participatory action research which is grounded in the theoretical concept that communities can change systems through group participation and organized interaction. This study was a content analysis of detailed data collected during the CSM process and supplied by DMHS. Data included the observations and interpretations of the facilitators and project participants. Qualitative coding methods were used to extrapolate meanings and identify themes. Study results indicated CSM was effective in building collaboration and also identified the facilitator skill level as a potential barrier to the process if the facilitation skills were poor. The potential for social change resulting from this study is the advance of a structured process for developing a collaborative process between the systems. The newly formed collaboration can potentially create plans for system changes and subsequent action steps that will help direct individuals diagnosed with SPMI into services and away from the criminal justice system.