Community Update About the New Mental Health Court and SART Protocols
The Laporte County Prosecuting Attorney wants to update the community about the new Mental Health Court initiative and an update about SART protocols.
For the better part of a year, several stakeholders, such as the LaPorte County Courts, Adult Probation, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and several community partners have been putting the final touches on the new Mental Health Court initiative. The Mental Health Court is designed to engage Defendants in the Problem Solving Court process, but with a focus towards addressing Mental Health issues. This program is in the final stages, and should be moving
Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan commented: “My office only plays a small role in the Mental Health Court process. The lion’s share of the work will be done between the community mental health agencies and partners that are participating in this initiative. The Mental Health Court has been in process for a long time, and by having Defendants engage in this rigorous program, the goal is to address mental health needs, and reduce recidivism.”
Prosecuting Attorney Fagan continued: “April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This is a terrible scourge upon our community. Since early 2025, my Office, along with Stepping Stone Executive Director Kalah Riley, nurses and law enforcement, has been working to revamp the existing, outdated SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) protocols, and tailor them to meet the evolving needs of Laporte County. These protocols should be finalized within the next several weeks. By having multi-agency cooperation, in a deliberate process, we are working together to address the needs of sexual assault victims.”
If you are a victim of Sexual Assault, please contact 911 if an immediate emergency. Otherwise, Stepping Stone Shelter, led by Executive Director Kalah Riley, offers many services for victims, and can provide guidance. You can contact Stepping Stone by phone at 219-879-4615. Stepping Stone Shelter for Women, Inc. #wims