Stepping Up originated in 2015 through a partnership with the Council of State Governments Justice Center, the National Association of Counties, and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation. It provides resources to jails across Michigan to help drive down incarceration and recidivism rates for mentally ill individuals.
Once incarcerated, individuals with mental illnesses tend to stay longer in jail and, upon release, are at a higher risk of returning to incarceration than people without these illnesses, according to the organization.
Detroit-based Wayne State University will supply the technical assistance for the program, including a screening process for mentally ill individuals.