4th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT became an ARI site in July 2013 to support the Effingham County Problem-Solving Court (drug court) program and implement new Mental Health and Veterans Courts in Effingham and Christian Counties. In 2017, the 4th Judicial Circuit began using additional ARI funds to expand treatment, case management, mentoring, and wrap-around services to additional counties in its jurisdiction. The 4th Judicial Circuit now operates ARI programs and services in four counties: Christian (Drug, Mental Health, & Veterans Courts), Clinton (Drug Court), Effingham (Drug, Mental Health, & Veterans Courts, as well as the Integrated Systems of Care program), and Fayette (Drug Court). The Effingham County Probation Department serves as the lead entity and fiscal agent for these alternatives to incarceration in the 4th Judicial Circuit.
The 4th Judicial Circuit programs incorporate counseling, case management services, therapeutic activities, community reintegration projects, and peer support. Individual programs within the 4th Judicial Circuit are also responsive to social determinants of health by providing participants emergency and temporary housing assistance, vital records assistance, and case management that connects participants to needed community-based services using ARI funding.
Key partners involved in the 4th Judicial Circuit’s ARI services include the four counties’ probation departments, presiding Judges, State’s Attorneys, Public Defenders, County Boards, and Public Libraries; the Chief Judge for the 4th Judicial Circuit; community-based treatment providers; the Veterans Administration’s Veteran Justice Outreach Specialist and Veterans Service Officer who assist the Christian and Effingham County Veterans Courts; community-based housing providers; local self-help groups; local faith communities; and local law enforcement.
Program contact:
Cheryl Meyers, Director, Effingham County Probation
217-347-7931