 The Crowan County Board approved the county's participation in the Stepping Up initiative to reduce mental illness in the jail. Stepping Up is a national movement with a goal to reduce the amount of people with mental illness in jail by focusing on community services. Currently, Crowan County has minimal health supports in the jail, but now with the board's support can proceed with the project. The plan is to really work at diverting those individuals that may become in for very minor offenses that are identified to have mental health or chemical dependency issues to get them to agree to do some things outside of being charged with their offense, and that would be held, potentially those charges would be held if they followed through with maybe getting connected to treatment. Crowan County Community Services are teaming up with the Sheriff's Department and the county attorney on the project. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.