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SRLJC updates: diversion program steady, dashboards expanding; minutes approved unanimously
Summary
The SRLJC approved minutes and heard updates: the diversion program has about a dozen active participants, supported-release numbers exceed 100, dashboards are expanding (therapeutic courts next), and county staff plan Valley Connect outreach and strengthened warm handoffs through the reentry program.
SRLJC members on May 13 approved meeting minutes and received updates on diversion, supported release, dashboards and reentry services.
The council voted to approve minutes for Jan. 14 and April 4 after a motion and a second; the chair announced the motion carried unanimously.
Katie reported the diversion program is “going well” but off to a slow start and said community services are meeting participants in court; she estimated “around a dozen active participants” currently and said outreach continues. Aaron reported the supported-release program remains steady with “over a 100 participants” despite losing one grant-funded hire to community services.
Justin described recent changes at the jail that have increased first appearances and given judges an earlier opportunity to connect people with services. He said a previous surge in citations was largely driven by downtown enforcement activity and that citation levels have returned to more normal levels. Justin also previewed Valley Connect, a Spokane Valley event modeled on the downtown homeless connect that will bring courts and service providers together for warm handoffs.
Members praised the county’s dashboards, and staff said a therapeutic-courts dashboard is the next project. Several participants commended the reentry team and coordinator Jessica for showing up to provide warm handoffs for people taking pleas or being released.
The meeting closed with participants agreeing to follow up in smaller sessions and to brief the BOCC as planning continues.
