A cornerstone of PRA’s work, the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) is a conceptual framework used to help communities assess and address connections between their criminal justice and mental health systems. The SIM identifies six points, or “intercepts,” where individuals with behavioral health issues can be diverted toward treatment and away from further contact with the criminal justice system.
A new case study—produced by the Urban Institute’s Justice Policy Center and PRA Senior Project Associate Travis Parker, with support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation as part of the Safety and Justice Challenge—examines how three communities used the SIM to advance justice reform efforts, including their planning processes and objectives. The study, Using the Sequential Intercept Model to Guide Local Reform, explores stakeholder reflections on the process and lessons learned, including the importance of neutral facilitators, a diverse and representative group involved in the mapping process, and preparation and education around the SIM.
