Centerstone receives grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation to continue Sarasota Comprehensive Treatment Court program

Centerstone has received a $40,000 grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation, enabling the organization to continue its highly impactful Comprehensive Treatment Court (CTC) services for adults with mental health or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders who are in the criminal justice system.

Centerstone began CTC in 2016, collaborating with Sarasota County Court Judge Erika Quartermaine, Community Assisted & Supported Living, Inc. (CASL), Continuum of Care and The Salvation Army to connect clients with the resources they require. The primary goals of CTC are to divert the target population from jail into treatment and increase stability so participants are able to break the repetitive cycle of incarcerations in the future.

“We are grateful for the generosity of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, which allows Centerstone to continue supporting this highly successful program in Sarasota County,” said Melissa Larkin-Skinner, Regional CEO, Centerstone. “Our therapists and case managers, along with community partners, help clients reach all of their goals. CTC’s measurable results show lives are not only being changed, but being saved.”

CTC is a post-booking diversion opportunity that provides evidenced-based behavioral health interventions and services, along with linkages to community support and ancillary social services, which improve participants’ quality of life and reduce rearrests. The wraparound program is available 24/7, 365 days a year to program participants who experience a mental illness and demonstrate an inability to provide for their basic needs. CTC provides a comprehensive array of services, including psychiatric evaluations, therapy, case management, temporary financial assistance for housing, legal advocacy, assistance with benefits, and other recovery supports.