Established in 2002, The Legal Aid Society’s MICA Project is a groundbreaking nationwide initiative that embodies a unique collaboration between mental health attorneys and forensic social worker mitigation specialists. This interdisciplinary team advocates for treatment-based dispositions for clients with a range of behavioral health disabilities, including serious mental health conditions, substance use disorders, neurocognitive and intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and autism.

The MICA Project serves as a primary resource for attorneys across The Legal Aid Society’s Borough-Wide Criminal Defense practices. It aims to secure treatment-based dispositions in mental health and drug treatment problem-solving courts within the boroughs, providing zealous written and oral advocacy, comprehensive support, and continuing case management for up to 18 months during the court mandate.

Partnerships

The Project collaborates with many criminal justice and community-based treatment providers. We are standing members of various NYC committees and workgroups and provide extensive training and consultation to the criminal justice field and community providers. The Project outcomes have demonstrated a measurable way to avoid wasting resources on jails and prisons, by investing in the treatment of people with co-occurring mental illness and addiction issues.