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Whatcom County to expand jail behavioral-health pilot into 10-week reentry program
Summary
Sheriff's Office and Lifeline Connections described a pilot that began as a six-week course for five people and will expand to a 10-week daily program; partners include Lifeline Connections, Evergreen Goodwill and local colleges; staffing and provider RFPs pose challenges.
Lieutenant Barry Lovell, a jail lieutenant with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, described the county’s behavioral-health work center pilot and plans to expand the program from six weeks to a 10-week, staff-led reentry curriculum.
“We refer individuals to Lake Whatcom Center's heart team,” Lovell said as he summarized coordination with community partners, and he described the pilot’s initial results: the original cohort was five people; three remain in custody, one was sent to prison and one was “released to the community” and remains connected to the program. “I would consider that a pretty significant success,” Lovell said.
The expanded program will add daily…
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