For nearly 20 years, the Stark County Court of Common Pleas has been working with individuals who have a history of mental health issues and are involved in a probation offense. The H.O.P.E. Program – which stands for Helping Offenders Psychologically and Emotionally – taps into resources provided by community providers as a possible alternative to prison.
Specially trained probation officers work with the participants to complete their Intensive Supervision Probation (ISP). They understand how complex the effects of mental health in legal situations can be.
Potential participants are referred to the program and are then interviewed by a mental health agency to decide whether or not they are eligible.
To be eligible for the H.O.P.E. Program, the person on probation must be a Stark County resident who could benefit from and agrees to outpatient mental health services.
Once in the program, a participant is assigned a H.O.P.E. Probation Officer who supervises them throughout the program.
During this time, mental health professionals help program participants recover from their mental health issues and find stability in the community. This lessens their chances of committing another offense.
If you or someone you know could benefit from the H.O.P.E. Program, visit the Stark County Court of Common Pleas website to learn more.
To find additional help in Stark County, learn about legal assistance and mental health resources at StarkHelpCentral.com.
