Mission Statement

The mission of the Kendall County Mental Health Court is to reduce recidivism for individuals who have contact with the criminal justice system as a result of mental health symptoms by combining effective treatment and intensive judicial supervision in a therapeutic court setting which uses accountability, support, and individualized treatment plans to support individuals in pursuit of an enhanced quality of life.

Overview

Established in April 2021, Kendall County Mental Health Court was created to provide intensive supervision to individuals charged with misdemeanor or felony offenses as a direct result of mental health symptoms. Mental Health Courts are being established nationally in response to a clear need for treatment-based alternatives to incarceration for individuals who are diagnosed with a mental illness or who have emerging symptoms of a mental health condition.  Kendall County Mental Health Court utilizes a Problem Solving Court model where a combination of accountability and treatment promotes effective management of mental health symptoms. Mental Health Courts are dependent upon creating a non-adversarial courtroom atmosphere where the Judge and Mental Health Court team work together with the participant toward a common goal of enhanced quality of life and decreased criminal justice involvement.

Those eligible for the program must have a mental health diagnosis or exhibit symptoms of an undiagnosed mental illness. Participants must agree to voluntarily engage in treatment and follow recommendations of the treatment team.  All participants must be at least 18 years of age, a Kendall County resident or as otherwise agreed by the Court, a United States citizen or legal resident, and have a pending misdemeanor, felony, or probation violation. All participants must receive approval from the Court prior to admission.

Participants in the Mental Health Court program are required to attend frequent status review hearings, meet with Mental Health Court team members regularly, and comply with treatment and probation case management plans that are developed based on the individual needs of the participant.

The Kendall County Mental Health Court program has several phases each consisting of different expectations and benchmarks for the participant. If an individual meets the requirements of each of the phases and the criteria for graduation, they are celebrated at a graduation ceremony with members of the community.

The Mental Health Court team consists of the following members:

• Judge: Honorable John McAdams
• Problem Solving Court Coordinator: Vanessa Melendez
• State’s Attorney: Eric Weis & Frank Gorup
• Public Defender: Jason Majer
• Director or Court Services/Probation Officer: Alice Elliot & Armando Rodriguez
• Representative of the Sheriff’s Office: Deputy Andrew Nemenoff
• Treatment Representative from Family Counseling Service: Danielle Anderson

If you, or someone you know, is interested in participating in this program please complete the linked form and return to Court Administration or email to vmelendez@kendallcountyil.gov..

Referral Form

Interested in Learning More?

If you or your organization are interested in learning more about the work that Kendall County Mental Health Court does, please contact Vanessa Melendez to schedule a speaking engagement.  These trainings can be tailored to your group’s needs and are perfect for community organizations wishing to learn more about the program, law enforcement agencies wishing to educate their staff about this program, or student groups.

If you are interested in observing a Mental Health Court hearing, court takes place weekly on Thursday afternoons at 2:30pm in Courtroom 111 at Kendall County Courthouse. Call Melissa to confirm that court is in session on the week you wish to observe.

Contact

Vanessa Melendez
Problem Solving Court Coordinator

Hours: 8:00am – 4:30pm; Monday – Friday
Address: 807 W. John Street, Yorkville, IL 60560
Phone: 630–553-4926

Email: vmelendez@kendallcountyil.gov.