Pictured: Judge D.J. Davis is flanked by the new coordinator of the Behavioral Health Court, Kevin Minnick, left, and Haley Feltner, the new case manager. Davis will supervise the new problem-solving court in Superior Court 1. KRISTY DEER | DAILY REPORTER
Pictured: Judge D.J. Davis is flanked by the new coordinator of the Behavioral Health Court, Kevin Minnick, left, and Haley Feltner, the new case manager. Davis will supervise the new problem-solving court in Superior Court 1. KRISTY DEER | DAILY REPORTER
HANCOCK COUNTY — Plans to start the Hancock County Behavioral Health Court have taken shape. Judge D.J. Davis has named a program coordinator and case manager, and if state officials approve the plan, its first session will be Friday, Sept. 17.

Davis has wanted to establish the new problem-solving court since before he took office in January as judge in Hancock County Superior Court 1. He wants to address defendants’ core problems and treat them rather than pushing cases through the court system without ever addressing people’s issues.

“We want to keep things real,” Davis said. “We want to find out why people are in court, and I’m not talking about because they got caught or did something, but we need to go deep and find out, and that’s not always an easy thing.”

Kevin Minnick has been named the coordinator for the new court. Minnick, who has been with the probation department for 18 years, already serves on the county’s Drug Court team. He said the new court program is being designed to offer services to help those with behavioral health issues get through legal entanglements and address issues so they don’t re-offend.

“We’re really excited about getting this going,” Minnick said.

Davis noted Minnick is taking on the extra work without getting a pay increase because he knows there is a strong need for behavioral health services in the community.

Hailey Feltner, a Greenfield-Central High School graduate, is a current administrative assistant for juvenile probation and has been promoted to case manager for the new court. Feltner has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is getting a master’s degree in social work.

Feltner has served two internships, at the county jail and at the probation department. She’ll officially start the new role Aug. 9, a position being paid for by the county.

“I’m just excited to be a part of this something that can help our community and is so needed,” Feltner said. “I think I’ve really found my passion.”

Minnick selected Cameron Mayes, a probation officer, to be the court’s veterans officer. He was honored as Officer of the Year by local veterans a few years ago, making Mayes ideal for the job, Minnick said.

With the leadership team identified, time is of the utmost, Minnick said. The team will have a couple of months to map out and coordinate what is needed to have a successful behavioral court, including helping veterans.

One of their biggest challenges will be identifying the right people to be in the program, those who want help and will put in an effort.

“We’ve got some time to start aligning cases,” Minnick said before noting the service is needed now. “We’re already being asked if we’re ready to go.”

Court officials have already identified 10 offenders who they feel can use the services. But they expect the case numbers to quickly balloon to the limit of 50.

“The question in my mind is, is 50 all we’re going to get?” Davis said, suggesting the need will be much higher. “The reality is if we get more than 50, we’re probably going to have to get another case manager.”

Minnick noted the county is in great shape to have a behavioral court program. The probation department is the only one in the state with a problem-solving probation team licensed by the Indiana State Department of Health’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction meaning they can treat those in need, Minnick said.

The type of offender accepted into the new court program will vary, but all will be Level 5 felony offenders or below, Davis said. There will be no mandate stating someone must first go through community corrections, home detention or probation before being allowed in.

“We’re going to be able to take battery and domestic battery type cases where Drug Court cannot,” Davis said.

Plus, community members, who may be on probation or are out of the court system but who are in need of help, can get it without having a case in the courts.

The new court will meet on the first and third Friday of every month in Superior Court 1. They’re setting up a partnership with Community Mental/Behavioral Health Services, among others. Many of the county officials who are already part of the county’s Drug Court team will cross over and be a part of the county’s new Behavioral Health Court team, Minnick said.

“That way we’ll all know how these problems work and how we can go about fixing them,” Minnick said. Davis and Minnick noted it’s been a complete community effort to get the new court off the ground and identified County Commissioner Marc Huber; County Councilman Jim Shelby; Sheriff Brad Burkhart; assistant jail commander Matt Boots; and probation director Josh Sipes as key supporters.

“It really has been an all-hands-on-deck kind of thing,” Minnick said.

Davis noted those who participate in the new court will have to put in an effort and admit they need assistance.

“This is an investment,” Davis said. “If we don’t invest in the people who have mental health troubles and they don’t invest in us, they’re not going to get much out of this.”

Davis believes one of the court’s biggest issues will be helping offenders find ways to cope so they don’t offend again and are able to get through the “day-to-day” of life.

“Everybody in this room right now either knows someone who is depressed or anxious or has experienced these kinds of issues themselves,” Davis said. “We can all relate, and we want people to know they are not alone.”
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