When Marysville’s Mental Health Alternatives Program (MAP) Court held its first in-person session since th
e COVID-19 pandemic, it was for something special. On May 17, Shanda Kosnosky became the program’s most recent graduate.
MAP is an alternative court program intended to reduce repeated criminal activity with individually tailored, judicially supervised plans for medical treatment and/or lifestyle changes. Participants commit to a program term of at least 12 months, which may be extended to up to 18 months if needed. Participants who successfully complete the program earn dismissal of their criminal charges.
“These are people who are choosing a hard path to recovery, where they’re not getting an immediate reward,” said Judge Fred Gillings of Marysville Municipal Court. “They’re putting in literally months and months of work on becoming a better person.”
Kosnosky completed an 18-month dual-track plan focused on mental health and drug treatment.
“It was kind of hard at first because I had a lot of appointments, treatments three times a week, including meetings, and then your one-on-ones and mental health meetings,” she said. “But once I got it going, it really wasn’t that hard - it was pretty easy.”
At graduation, it is tradition for the MAP team to offer stones with inspirational words written on them to graduates. The stones are meant to reflect the graduates’ journeys.
Cathy Wheatcroft, a liaison for Bridgeways mental health services, said she did not recognize Kosnosky when they met at the courthouse. “I’ve been so used to seeing you on Zoom so I didn’t recognize you,” Wheatcroft told Kosnosky. “You look wonderful; you look healthy.”
Wheatcroft offered a stone engraved “success,” saying, “You’ll get to where you need to go.”
Lake Stevens prosecutor Jeffrey Leeper offered a rock with “peace” on it. “Think of the skills you’ve picked up, and keep that sense of peace.”
Marysville prosecutor Jennifer Millet, who has known Kosnosky since 2015, chose her own word: perseverance. “For the amount of work you’ve done and the change you’ve done, I know you are going to persevere in life,” Millet said. “I am so proud of you.”
Tammy McElyea, public defender, chose the “joy” rock. “I am just so joyful to see you get to this point,” McElyea said. “Enjoy the joys of life.”
Judge Gillings offered the “wisdom” rock. “It wasn’t the perfect beginning, but you hung in there,” he said. “You are becoming a new person.”
Kosnosky was elated upon graduating, and had great things to say about her experience. “Having someone that really felt like they genuinely cared and just wasn’t doing the work because it’s their job really made a big difference.”
Kosnosky encourages fellow and future participants to go along with the process of the program. “Anyone who is struggling, just give it a shot,” she said. “It’s definitely worth what you get in the end. Definitely.”
Participant referrals for the MAP program are accepted from any of the following sources: Jail, defense attorney, prosecutor, mental health provider, law enforcement, medical provider or family member. To learn more or make a referral to the MAP program, contact Roger Iino at riino@bridgeways.org.