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County staff report results from deflection program: 121 offered, 36 graduates
Summary
Monica reported that in roughly 18 months the county offered deflection to 121 people; 73 entered the program, 36 have graduated, 25 failed and 15 remain active. She urged continued law-enforcement and community support for successful outcomes.
Monica presented data on the county's deflection program and described the two pathways by which people enter.
"In the last approximately 18 months, 121 individuals were offered deflection," Monica told the council. Of those, 47 took the pathway offered at arrest (pathway 1) and 25 entered via community referral (pathway 2). Overall, 73 people entered the program, 36 have graduated, 25 failed the program and 15 remain active, she said.
Monica said each deflection participant commits to a 90‑day engagement plan and credited case managers and CBH staff (Isaiah, Chris and Gigi, named in the presentation) for building relationships that support retention. She said a recent graduation ceremony highlighted personal stories of progress and that law‑enforcement engagement is critical to connecting people to services.
Monica asked the council to consider inviting Christina or Rick Martinez (recovery services director) to a future meeting to present on deflection work and to provide more detailed program metrics.
The council discussed the importance of community referrals, workforce and the need for ongoing outreach to sustain program enrollment and graduation rates. Monica also said the Public Safety Coordinating Council is reviving a victim impact panel as part of diversion processes and is seeking diverse speakers for panels required under diversion programs.
The council did not take formal action on the deflection update; members asked staff to bring additional program details to a future meeting.
