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County hears results of Calibrate diversion program; commissioners opt for smaller ongoing staffing to sustain program
Summary
Prosecutor’s office staff reported the Calibrate diversion program enrolled 238 defendants with 162 successful completions (about 83% success rate reported); commissioners chose the smaller funding option (one FTE at roughly $59,000 for three quarters) to keep the program operating amid tight budgets.
Missoula County’s diversion program manager and prosecutors told commissioners on Aug. 27 that the Calibrate diversion program has enrolled 238 defendants since inception and reported 162 successful completions, which staff described as an approximately 83 percent success rate. Mac Lou, the county’s chief criminal deputy, described operational benefits: diverting eligible defendants reduces attorney and court workload and accelerates restitution payments and community service completion compared with traditional prosecution.
Staff said the program’s federal grant funding ends in September and that two grant‑funded FTEs will lose grant support unless the county funds positions. Program staff presented two requests: a larger request to retain two FTEs (transcript cited a combined ongoing cost of about $153,000) and a smaller maintenance request for one FTE at roughly $59,000 (staff said that amount covers roughly three quarters of a year because the grant covers one quarter). Staff described program outcomes: about 60 percent of enrollees were felony defendants and 40 percent misdemeanors; program participants completed over 1,100 hours of community service at organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Home Resource and the public library; early restitution collection to victims was reported to be faster and at a higher rate than Department of Corrections collection for convicted cases.
Commissioners discussed budget constraints and the tradeoffs of adding ongoing FTEs versus using grant or one‑time funds. Several commissioners said the program’s recidivism reduction and cost savings were compelling; the board agreed to include the smaller, ongoing option (the roughly $59,000 request) in the preliminary budget so the program could continue with reduced staffing. Staff and commissioners noted that sustaining program staffing longer term may require new grant awards or other revenue sources.
Why this matters: the diversion program seeks to reduce reentry into the justice system by addressing underlying needs and, according to staff, saves attorney hours and court resources while delivering restitution and community service more quickly to victims.
