Sentara Healthcare/Optima Health/Virginia Premier recently donated $50,000 to support a behavioral health program in Hampton and Newport News. The money will help provide transportation to court, to treatment appointments, and to work for defendants enrolled in the behavioral health program who are struggling with mental illness. The behavioral health program is designed to reduce mental health symptoms for defendants by helping them with treatment, address clinical needs, and reduce recidivism.
The behavioral health dockets in the local courts are overseen by Judge Matthew Hoffman in Newport News and Judge Corry N. Smith in Hampton. Both judges say transportation is a critical problem that can keep defendants from successfully completing the programs. Sentara partnered with United Way of the Virginia Peninsula for the check presentation on September 21.
