The Kentucky Jail Mental Health Crisis Network was created with the passage of House Bill 67 during the 2004 legislative session. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services contracts with the Bluegrass Regional Mental Health/Mental Retardation Board for the provision of these services.

The purpose of this service is to reduce the number of suicides in local jails, assure the appropriate housing and classification of inmates with behavioral health or substance abuse issues, developmental or intellectual disabilities, or brain injuries, and to provide any necessary follow-up service in the jail.

This network of services comprises two major service components. The first is a toll-free telephone number staffed by qualified behavioral health professionals who provide a telephonic assessment of an inmate's risk for suicide and need for behavioral health care services. The second major service component is the necessary follow-up service provided by the local community mental health center at the local jail for inmates who are identified as being at risk.