DeKalb County Launches New Court-Led Mental Health Treatment Program

(AUBURN) - DeKalb County courts are teaming up with the Northeastern Center to launch a new mental health pilot program aimed at reducing repeat hospitalizations and court involvement. The county was selected as part of a statewide Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) pilot through the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration. DeKalb Superior Court Judge Patrick Jessup will lead the local effort alongside the Northeastern Center. The initiative is named in honor of the late Judge Michael J. Kramer. Assisted Outpatient Treatment is designed for adults with serious mental illness who struggle to stay engaged in treatment and often cycle through hospitals and the criminal justice system. The program combines court oversight with a coordinated treatment team to keep participants connected to care. Local leaders say the goal is better communication between the courts and mental health providers, improved treatment outcomes, and fewer encounters with law enforcement. DeKalb County joins a ten-county pilot group statewide receiving technical support as the program gets underway.