In a move that could change the lives of many in Alameda County, the District Attorney's Office, headed by DA Pamela Price, recently bagged a substantial $6 million grant. The award comes from the California Board of State and Community Corrections. It is aimed at bolstering the Community Assessment Referral Engagement Services (CARES) Navigation Center, a pre-arrest diversion program for individuals with substance use or mental health issues. According to the Alameda County District Attorney's recent announcement, this grant represents the largest in the office's history.
The CARES Navigation Center, a joint initiative with Alameda County's Behavioral Health Department and community partners like the UnCuffed Project and Market St. 7th Day Adventist Church, offers resources and an alternative path outside incarceration for those facing related misdemeanors. In her statement, Alameda County District Attorney Price remarked, “This is the largest grant investment in the history of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. I want to thank my team for making it happen: Amanda Thomas, Director of Grant Development and Compliance; Tara Anderson, Assistant Chief of Administration and Operations; Mas Morimoto, the Director of our Collaborative Courts; and Dr. Raymond Landry, CARES Navigation Project Coordinator.” This grant paves the way for the expansion of services throughout Alameda County.
Police officers across the county can now refer individuals directly to the CARES program, allowing for treatment and community services without the detour through jail or court. By circumventing the traditional routes, the program not only aids those with mental health or substance disorders but also serves as a cost-cutting measure, reducing expenses related to law enforcement and judicial processes. The CARES initiative notably includes a mobile unit that works towards delivering services county-wide.
The funding received by the CARES Navigation Center originates from Proposition 47, established in 2014 after voter approval. Proposition 47's mandate was to reduce certain nonviolent crimes, from felonies to misdemeanors, and to utilize savings from incarceration costs for rehabilitation efforts. The savings have amassed to approximately $800 million, with a significant portion allocated to resources such as mental health treatment, substance use disorder treatment, and diversion programs. The remaining funds are distributed among K-12 schools (25%) and victim services (10%).
