RSE Provides advocacy and support for individuals involved in the Justice System through the Saratoga Springs City Court.
Saratoga Springs Community Outreach Court
The Community Outreach Court in Saratoga Springs, initiated in October 2020, assists individuals who are experiencing homelessness and charged with non-violent offenses to address their underlying issues (such as mental health and substance abuse) that often drive recidivism. Individuals who meet the orders laid out by the Outreach Court and remain arrest and conviction free are adjudicated and have the arrest record expunged.
Honorable Francine Vero, who serves as judge for the Saratoga Springs City Court, serves as judge of the Outreach Court. Individuals who come before the Outreach Court are referred to the RISE Community Outreach Court Coordinators upon arraignment.
The RISE Court Coordinators are present to work with participants outside of the courtroom – representing a single, and familiar point of contact for those appearing before the Outreach Court, and providing an opportunity to develop a trusting relationship. The Outreach Coordinators connect individuals who are eligible and agree to participate with case management services and human service providers. These connections assist participants in successful community reintegration and achievement of self-sufficiency by treating the behavior and conditions that give rise to their cases.
RISE Mental Health Court Navigator
The RISE Mental Health Court Navigator serves as a bridge between the court system and community behavioral health services. The program assists justice-involved individuals with mental health needs by connecting them to appropriate treatment, reducing barriers to care, and coordinating services that promote recovery, stability, and successful community living.
Our goal is to improve access to behavioral health services, supports informed decision-making, strengthens collaboration between the courts and community providers, and promotes better outcomes for individuals involved in the justice system.
Services Provided:
- Referrals to Initial mental health and/or substance use screenings
- Referrals to mental health treatment, substance use treatment, and community-based services
- Linkage to specialized programs, including:
- SPOA (Single Point of Access)
- SOS (Specialized Outpatient Services)
- CTI (Critical Time Intervention)
- Coordination with community providers and follow-up on referrals
- Education regarding the court process and explanation of legal terminology
- Assistance accessing housing, food, transportation, benefits, and other health-related social services
- Ongoing care coordination and resource navigation based on each individual’s needs
Eligibility
- Have a known history of a serious mental illness*, including but not limited to schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, unspecified schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder, major depressive disorder, or bipolar disorder.
- Charged with a felony or misdemeanor; and living in the community while their criminal case is pending or released from jail pending resolution of their case.
*A confirmed mental health diagnosis is not required at the time of referral, and the individual’s mental health condition does not need to be related to the charged offense.
Referrals
Community Outreach Court: Individuals appearing before the Saratoga Springs Community Outreach Court are automatically referred to RISE for services.
RISE Mental Health Court Navigator: Referrals may be made by the individual seeking services, any entity within the court system—including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation officers, court staff, and law enforcement partners—or by an outside provider, such as a community behavioral health provider.
To see the impact the RISE Community Outreach Court Coordinators are making in our community, view our Community Outreach Court Impact 2022 Presentation or visit our Program Statistics Page.
RISE Outreach Team
Phone: 518-587-6193
Fax: 518-587-8703
Email: cocinfo@riseservices.org