After a three-year journey, Woodland woman Amanda Manning successfully graduated from Yolo County’s Mental Health Court.
On Thursday, in Department 8 of the Yolo Superior Court in Woodland, Manning’s daughter, friends, members of the Mental Health Court team, Yolo County Chief Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Raven, Judge Peter Williams, who presides over Mental Health Court, current members of the Mental Health Court program and several others who assisted Manning on her journey, gathered to speak and congratulate her on her success.
Williams opened the graduation celebration, calling Manning “incredibly consistent” during her recovery.
“This program is hard,” Williams emphasized. “If it were easy to transform yourself from something less than your maximum potential into your maximum potential, we wouldn’t even be here. You stayed on it, even when you didn’t even feel like it.”
“If you got through this program, you can get through the program of life,” he continued. “You have the tools for what it takes to succeed. It’s not going to be easy, but this program wasn’t easy. You’re ready to go. You’re ready to launch.”
Manning, 43, was arrested by the Woodland Police Department on July 11, 2019, after threatening a worker at a local shoe store with a baseball bat. One month later, she was referred to the Mental Health Court, attending for the first time on Aug. 20.
“You fought so hard to overcome all the demons of what you had to do,” said Public Defender Bret Bandley. “You overcame losses that you had in your family. I remember when you lost your mom and stepdad, but you did it and you kept working.”
Established in 2013, Mental Health Court is a monitoring system for adult offenders with serious mental illnesses designed to increase treatment and reduce arrests, hospitalizations and jail time.
“Instead of casting out and discarding those who suffer from mental and emotional issues, Mental Health Courts insert hope and support into the very lives of people who the traditional justice system says are hopeless,” explained Williams. “Members receive the right mix of treatment and accountability needed to change their lives.”
The program, which is completely voluntary, lasts a minimum of 18 months but can be extended in the event of missteps, which are expected, Raven explained. In order to graduate, individuals follow a structured program to address their mental health and increase the participants’ quality of life. The program’s overarching goal is to address the criminogenic factors and reduce recidivism.
The program follows the Forensic Assertive Community Treatment model, where participants get intense services two hours per week or meet with staff four times a week, according to a press release from the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office. Participants progress through four phases of treatment: orientation and treatment plan development, early recovery, active recovery and sustained recovery.
“Instead of hopelessness, they receive a solution,” Williams said. “Instead of indifference, they are shown compassion and instead of judgment, they are given assistance. Instead of punishment, they are provided a passport to recovery.”
The team provides participants with wrap-around services focused on mental health, substance abuse, housing, vocational and school and physical health. At the end of the program, individuals participate in a restorative justice conference.
Throughout the ceremony, over a dozen people shared emotional memories and anecdotes of Manning, speaking to her inspiring resilience and drive to recover.
“You are a gift to others who are going through similar challenges,” said Karleen Jakowski, Yolo County’s interim mental health director. “What a gift you are to our community here in Yolo County.”
Manning then addressed the entire courtroom, thanking everyone for their support before Williams presented her with a framed certificate, recognizing her successful completion of the program.
“I was digging a hole of recovery and I just kept stomping forward and backward,” Manning shared. “I was really surprised about this program because I didn’t think anything was going to stick into my head. I was questioning the promise of a new life.”
“I just want to thank everyone, I really do,” she concluded. “I’ve met some amazing people and really have peace around me. Everyone has had an important place in my life in my journey to recovery and I’m proud to have you and I hope you’re proud to have me.”
