Spokane County expands diversion services, reports strong completion and low reoffense rates; 988 and regulatory changes tracked
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Summary
County staff described an expanded Community Services Diversion Team (including jail transitions) and presented program outcomes — 367 participants since 2016, 72% successful completion and 89% of completers with no reoffense within 12 months — while also briefing a crisis data dashboard and pending state actions on 988 and crisis stabilization policy.
Spokane County behavioral health staff told the advisory board they are expanding the Community Services Diversion Team and strengthening jail‑to‑community transition services, and they shared program performance metrics engineered to reduce recidivism and unnecessary legal system involvement.
"Since program inception in 2016, we've had 367 participants enrolled," said Sarah Zapin, diversion police manager. She reported that 72 percent of participants successfully completed the 5177 prosecutorial diversion program and had their charges dismissed, and that 89 percent of those completers did not reoffend within 12 months.
Program model and eligibility: Presenters said referrals come from prosecuting attorneys, public defenders, detention services, behavioral health providers, and from self or family referrals. Under the 5177 prosecutorial diversion pathway, participants generally must check in weekly, attend court and behavioral health appointments, avoid new criminal violations and firearms possession, and may be asked to submit to random urine analysis as required by court conditions. The diversion team also supports jail transitions and reentry services for people returning to the community.
Outcomes and operations: Staff said roughly 25–26 percent of diversion cases are felonies on a case‑by‑case basis, with the remainder misdemeanors. Typical program participation ranges from six to 18 months, with many cases closing around six months; several longer engagements occur if prosecutors deem extended support beneficial. For participants needing competency restoration, staff said in‑custody referrals commonly go to Eastern State Hospital for restoration services.
Crisis system data and policy context: Amy Fair, project coordinator, presented the county’s crisis dashboard and cited 388 high utilizers, 7,426 hotline calls and 4,710 individuals served with 19,567 total services provided in the reporting period. Ashley McGee noted a recent out‑of‑state court ruling that has made some law enforcement partners more cautious in crisis engagement, and told the board the county is tracking House Bill 1813, which would expand delegated crisis stabilization responsibilities. Frontier Behavioral Health currently operates the regional crisis line and 988 under the Department of Health contract while official 988 hub designations are being finalized; the state’s Department of Health was expected to name hubs in December.
Why it matters: County staff said diversion and jail transition services reduce pressure on jails and emergency departments, and the data metrics presented were used to justify program expansion and continued coordination with prosecutors, hospitals and first responders.
Next steps: The diversion team will continue to enroll eligible participants, coordinate with prosecuting attorneys for dismissal‑eligible cases, and refine reporting on outcomes. The county will share 988 hub selections and legislative updates with the advisory board as they are announced.
