The Los Angeles County Office of Diversion and Re-entry announced Tuesday that it has received a $20 million state grant to fund rehabilitative programs for criminal offenders with a history of mental health or substance abuse issues.
The funding was generated through state savings under Proposition 47, a measure approved by voters in 2014 that reduced certain low-level crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.
Los Angeles County, one of 23 applicants awarded funding, plans to use the money to expand recovery bridge housing, enhance access to mental health services and substance abuse treatment and develop more intensive case management and related services designed to reduce recidivism.
“We look forward to investing in community programs to keep people from cycling through the justice system,” said Peter Espinoza, director of the Office of Diversion and Re-entry. “Through partnerships with community-based providers and other government agencies, we will connect clients to the services, treatment and case management they need to rebuild their lives.”
Ninety cents of every dollar will go to community service providers, according to officials.
–City News Service