Nevada County has received statewide honors for programs serving seriously mentally ill individuals in the criminal justice system, and veterans. 

The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) presented Nevada County with two awards which recognize new, effective and cost-saving ways to provide services to residents. 

Representatives from the County accepted the awards at a ceremony in Sacramento earlier this month. 

“This is a significant honor for our county,” said County Executive Officer Alison Lehman. “There were over 400 applications, and the process involves peer reviews from other counties who vote on the programs they consider best practices. I’m incredibly proud of our team’s hard work. It’s a testament to their dedication that we continue to be recognized among counties for our innovative programs.”

Incompetent-to-Stand-Trial Response Team

CSAC awarded the County an Innovation Award for its Incompetent-to-Stand-Trial Response Team. The award is given to the highest-scoring programs in the competition and recognizes “trailblazing initiatives that set new standards for local government excellence.”

Board of Supervisors Chair Heidi Hall said Nevada County was the only rural area to get this award.“I commend our staff for the excellent, very creative work they’re doing. They're accomplishing a lot with a little.”

The response team developed an effective approach to managing people who are unable to understand the court process or assist in their own defense due to a mental illness. Historically, these defendants were sent to state psychiatric hospitals for treatment. But since that system is overwhelmed, this group has ended up waiting in jail for months – sometimes over a year – without getting the treatment they need. 

In Nevada County, District Attorney and Public Defender attorneys, Probation officers and Behavioral Health workers collaborate early to identify defendants with these challenges well before an official court finding on whether they are incompetent to stand trial. They then proactively seek out possible treatment options. 

“This proactive process helps people get into treatment and housing more quickly,” said Nevada County Behavioral Health Director Phebe Bell. “It works because there is trust and agreement between all partners.” 

As a result, Nevada County has one of the lowest referral rates to state hospitals, with a commitment rate of only seven individuals per 100,000 as of 2022-2023.  The County has fewer commitments per capita than 85% of other counties. 

Veterans Outreach and Wellness Program 

The Veterans Outreach and Wellness (VOW) Program, which received a Challenge Award, focuses on four key goals: preventing veteran suicides, ending veteran homelessness, providing pathways to employment, and fostering community engagement.

“We focus on the whole veteran in Nevada County,” said Veterans Services Officer David West. 

Through a partnership with Sierra Family Therapy, the program provides veterans with up to 10 free, confidential mental health sessions. More than 90 veterans a year sign up for the service. 

The VOW program is also committed to ending veteran homelessness by helping veterans in that situation get mental health care and other services. The County is now down to just eight homeless veterans. 

Moreover, VOW has an active intern program, so far linking about 30 veterans to federal, state and county employment options after they leave military service. It also offers veterans support from therapy dogs in the Veterans Services Office lobby, free guitar lessons and chances to participate in river recreation programs. 

Finally, it engages the community with its annual Military Appreciation Week and Grass Valley Armed Forces Day. 

West said his office appreciates the honor. “I like being able to show the community we’re doing what we can.” 

Learn more about services and schedule an appointment at www.nevadacountyca.gov/VSO.

PHOTO CAPTION: (Left to right) Board of Supervisors Chair Heidi Hall, Chief of Staff Jeff Thorsby, Public Defender Keri Klein, Behavioral Health Program Manager Kelly Miner-Gann and County Executive Officer Alison Lehman at the California State Association of Counties Awards ceremony in Sacramento earlier this month.