One of the larger health concerns in Jackson County (before the virus) was a mental health concern. As the county moves forward with plans to build a new jail, some citizens want to make sure the plans include mental health care in the community, to prevent people with mental health needs from ending up in jail.
Several community groups plan a "Care Not Cuffs" community forum on the issues. The in-person forum has been cancelled because of virus concerns; an online forum is now being planned for April 7th. We bring together a panel to air the concerns: Laurie Hoagland, one of the organizers; Talent city councilor Jason Clark, Matt Vorderstrasse from Rogue Retreat, and Pam Ames, representing NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness.