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San Francisco accepts two $325,000 SAMHSA grants to fund on‑site intensive outpatient treatment at drug court and Community Justice Center
Summary
The Department of Public Health will accept two federal SAMHSA grants (each $325,000) to provide on‑site intensive outpatient treatment at the Adult Treatment Drug Court (Sixth & Bryant) and the Community Justice Center (555 Polk), using existing positions and aiming to institutionalize services after the three‑year grant terms.
The committee advanced two resolutions authorizing the Department of Public Health to accept and implement two federal grants of $325,000 each from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Craig Murdoch of DPH Community Behavioral Health Services said the grants will fund on‑site intensive outpatient programs at the Adult Treatment Drug Court (located at Sixth and Bryant) and at the Community Justice Center (CJC, 555 Polk Street). "With the acceptance and implementation of this grant and this program, we will actually be able to provide treatment services on-site to defendants in the program," Murdoch said of the drug court award.
Tamika Moss, coordinator with the Superior Court and the CJC, explained the CJC serves primarily by geographic jurisdiction (Tenderloin, SOMA, Civic Center and Union Square neighborhoods) and currently has a static client population of about 490 people being monitored or receiving services; she clarified the CJC also provides services on-site to any San Francisco resident who needs resources, whether or not they have a criminal case.
Supervisors asked whether grant funds pay for new staff or fund existing positions. Murdoch said the awards largely fund current unfunded positions and will support delivering services in the CJC facility. Members also queried how the programs interface with other diversion efforts; Murdoch and Moss said there is coordination with community justice programs and referral pathways between the community justice center and drug court where appropriate.
Public comment expressed support for the grants and trust in DPH leadership. The committee approved forwarding both acceptances with recommendations to the Board without objection.
Next steps: DPH will implement the onsite outpatient services and continue discussions about institutionalizing effective components beyond the grant period.
