Freddie Burton Jr.
The Flinn Foundation
The Flinn Foundation celebrated its Board of Trustees Chairman, The Honorable Freddie G. Burton, Jr., for being named the 2024 recipient of the esteemed Treat Award for Excellence by the National College of Probate Judges (NCPJ). Chief Judge Burton, who serves as the Chief Judge of Wayne County Probate Court (WCPC), is recognized for his groundbreaking creation of the court’s Behavioral Health Unit (BHU).
In launching the BHU, Chief Judge Burton has brought together a coalition of stakeholders — including mental health providers, hospitals, law enforcement, and government agencies — creating a collaborative approach that has yielded both cost savings and improved service delivery for Wayne County, Michigan residents.
The unit focuses on addressing the needs of individuals with significant mental illness, providing assisted outpatient treatment, and successfully reducing jail overcrowding. His efforts have transformed how the court interacts with individuals suffering from mental illness, ensuring they receive proper treatment rather than incarceration. The BHU has become a model for courts and agencies across Michigan and beyond, demonstrating how judicial leadership can enhance mental health services while promoting public safety.
This prestigious award, which recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the improvement of law or judicial administration, is a testament to Chief Judge Burton’s tireless work in transforming mental health services within the criminal justice system. The award was announced on October 10, 2024, to coincide with World Mental Health Day.
Chief Judge Burton joins an illustrious group of past recipients of the Treat Award, including the late United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and his former WCPC colleague, Hon. Milton L. Mack, Jr. This recognition not only highlights Chief Judge Burton’s local impact but also positions him as a leader in national conversations about mental health and the law.
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