Bethany Van Lant is the Chief of Forensic Operations for the Western Region with the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Division of Behavioral Health. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience in forensic mental health services. Bethany began her career at Fulton State Hospital, where she served as a unit social worker. Over the course of her career, she has held multiple roles within forensic departments across state psychiatric hospitals, developing extensive expertise in the intersection of behavioral health and the criminal justice system. In her current role, Bethany oversees the Forensic Mobile Team, which provides treatment, medication management, and education to individuals found incompetent to stand trial. She also contributes to the development and implementation of forensic procedures across state psychiatric facilities. Her work is centered on expanding access to competency restoration and strengthening systems of care for justice-involved individuals with serious mental illness.
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