• By Amber Humble
• Posted Friday, March 23, 2018

Forsyth County Stepping Up Day of Action

Stepping Up is a national initiative to reduce the number of people with mental illness in jails. The Day of Action is an opportunity for our community to come together to learn about the county’s efforts to connect people to treatment and services instead of jails.

Forsyth County’s Stepping Up Day of Action activities include hosting a floating open house from 10 am to 2 pm. In addition, we will be taking donations to support the Green Tree Peer Center, our partner in peer support services. Requested items include: salsa, bean dip, crackers, tortilla chips, popcorn, coffee, sugar, powered creamer, tea, and water. We will also gladly accept donations for the Stepping Up participants, such as granola bars, feminine hygiene products, toothpaste & brushes, deodorant, travel size soap, etc.

The county’s efforts began when the board passed a resolution in April 2015 to join Stepping Up.

Led by the National Association of Counties, the American Psychiatric Association Foundation and The Council of State Governments Justice Center, Stepping Up provides counties with a framework and tools for creating a collaborative, system-wide plan to reduce the number of people with mental illness in the county jail in ways that not only improve public safety but promote positive outcomes for individuals with mental illnesses, their families and their communities.

More than 415 counties across the country have passed a resolution or proclamation to join Stepping Up.

On May 16, Forsyth County will join its peers from across the country who are participating in the national Stepping Up Day of Action to share progress in the county and raise public awareness of the issues facing individuals with mental illness, particularly those who are involved in or at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system.

Please join us on May 16, 2018!