WINNEBAGO COUNTY became an ARI site in October 2011 to support its enhanced drug court. Winnebago County began receiving additional funding in October 2013 for specific components of its mental health court, known as the Therapeutic Intervention Program (TIP) Court. Both problem-solving court programs target individuals in need of mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment who have committed felony offenses and would otherwise face a sentence to prison. Over time, Winnebago County has expanded the scope of its TIP Court to include individuals with misdemeanor offenses, based on needs identified in evidence-based risk assessments and interviews, to provide equitable access to individuals in need of treatment and services.
Winnebago County ARI utilizes evidence-based practices in its problem-solving courts. Participants are provided substance use disorder and mental health treatment services; case management services; residential treatment; recovery coaching; therapeutic responses including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), Seeking Safety, and other Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; transportation assistance; and participant incentives and sanctions.
Winnebago County ARI is a partnership between the 17th Judicial Circuit Court and its Chief Judge, Problem-Solving Court Coordinators, the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office and Public Defender’s Office, probation, Rosecrance (mental health treatment provider), and other community-based organizations.
Program contact:
Emily Behnke, Deputy Court Administrator, 17th Judicial Circuit Court
815-319-4834