Westchester’s Behavioral Health Diversion Continuum: A Roadmap Through the Justice System

• By: Joseph A. Glazer, Esq. Michelle Hart, MA Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health
• October 12th, 2026
• behavioral health diversion, co-occurring disorders, community corrections, criminal justice, Fall 2026 Issue, mental health courts, reentry services, Sequential Intercept Model, Westchester County
• 242    0

The intersection of the criminal justice and behavioral health systems is neither a point nor a straight line. Rather, the overlap of these systems is a continuum; one in which the inflection points of systemic cross-contact can be identified and potentially addressed. The clearest tool for...

Westchester County Develops “Lives Forward” Program – Providing Dual Certification MH and Addiction Peer Training to Currently Justice Involved Individuals

• By: Joseph A. Glazer, Esq. Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health
• January 19th, 2026
• co-occurring disorders, criminal justice system, lived experience, mental health, peer support, recovery, substance use, Winter 2026 Issue, workforce development
• 1916    0

The philosopher Søren Kierkegaard said, “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” Few things illustrate this better than using one’s lived experience to support another person seeking recovery from co-occurring disorders. Now formally recognized as “peer”...