Flinn Foundation Board Chairman, Chief Judge Freddie G. Burton, Jr., Honored With Prestigious National Award for Mental Health Advocacy

The Flinn Foundation is proud to celebrate 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 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.

Support through collaboration

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. 

“Helping hundreds of individuals get the treatment they need to stay in recovery and avoid incarceration, hospitalization, and homelessness exemplifies the value and impact of judicial leadership,” writes Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement in a letter congratulating Judge Burton on his achievement, according to a release shared by Michigan Courts.

Andrea Cole, President and CEO of the Flinn Foundation, expressed the organization’s pride in Chief Judge Burton’s accomplishments. 

“Chief Judge Burton’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to improving mental health outcomes in our community are inspiring. His work with the Behavioral Health Unit has not only provided essential services to vulnerable individuals but also created a model of care that other jurisdictions can follow. We are immensely proud to have him as our Board Chair and extend our heartfelt congratulations on this well-deserved honor,” says Cole.

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.

The Flinn Foundation congratulates Chief Judge Burton on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to his continued work in improving the lives of individuals with mental illness through compassionate, innovative leadership.