Contra Costa County has designed an innovative, trauma-informed, culturally competent, diversion program for people arrested in Contra Costa County who have schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder alone or with a co-occurring substance use issue whose behavioral health condition played a significant role in the commission of a crime and are at risk for being declared incompetent to stand trial. "CoCo FACT" proposes to divert 75 clients for the 3-year grant period. The proposed program was developed with assistance of a Local Advisory Committee (LAC) of residents, stakeholders and community based organizations that have been meeting weekly to develop the program.
CoCo FACT includes an evidence-based intervention that is centered on Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) paired with housing, vocational supports, trauma reduction, and restorative justice components to help address individual and structural barriers that contribute to recidivism among those with involvement in the criminal justice system to decrease recidivism; promote recovery; and ensure community safety, stability, and healing. This project will be transformative for the County and its citizens, resulting in reduced recidivism and healing for both victims and offenders, replacing ineffective and costly practices that fail to address the actual factors contributing to the perpetration of the crime.
Today's action authorizes the County Administrator, or designee, to submit the grant proposal to the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) for consideration. This grant would complement a separate allocation to the County of AB 1810 dollars, which, similarly, targets individuals within the local justice system with mental health needs that would benefit from diversion. Braiding both funding sources ensures that the County's focus is scaling up services to this population in a coordinated manner with the same goals and objectives.
The County will be unable to apply for and accept the grant from the State.