Development or expansion of a pretrial services which provides staffing to screen individuals in the jail for service needs, make service recommendations to the judge, and provide supervision and connection to community-based treatment services for individuals released on pretrial bond. Could include outreach teams which provide court date reminders, transportation support to court if needed, and case management to connect individuals to supports in the community. Potential benefits include a decrease in overall jail days and increased connection with community-based treatment services, and reduction in recidivism.
Oklahoma SQ 781 & the County Community Safety Investment Fund
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) is administering the legislatively appropriated funds to counties for development and implementation of specific evidence-based programs through the County Community Safety Investment Fund, a legislatively appropriated fund that calculates savings related to Oklahoma State Question 780 and 781.
Funding the County Community Safety Investment Fund
Money for the County Community Safety Investment Fund comes from savings and averted costs from the prior fiscal year's reduction of incarcerations that are calculated by the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) in relation to 2017's SQ 780. Funds for the County Community Safety Investment are budgeted and monitored by ODMHSAS.
This funding is for the development and implementation of the specified programs and may be applied for by county governments or multi-county partnerships. Each county shall be allocated at least .5% of the total amount appropriated.
How can funds be used?
County Community Safety Investment can be used for multiple programs, including:
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment programs or other health care programs provided in the community
- Pretrial diversion programs, mental health and substance use jail intake screenings, or jail reentry programs
- Employment programs
- Education programs
- Housing programs
How does a county apply?
Counties can apply for the County Community Safety Investment Fund by taking the following steps:
- Gather county stakeholders and meet with the County Commissioners
- Brainstorm on the needs of the county
- Work together to prioritize needs
- Decide on a budget for each need
- Review the ODMHSAS CCSIF Statement of Work
- Prepare a proposal (a proposal template is available)
- County Commissioners approve the proposal as the only proposal for the county
- Submit to ODMHSAS at 781info@odmhsas.ok.gov
Programming Ideas
The overall intent of all projects is diversion of individuals from the criminal justice system. The following examples of ideas are not in a priority order, nor is it an exhaustive list. It is simply meant as a tool to assist stakeholders and county leaders with potential ideas as they develop proposals to meet the needs in their counties.
Development or expansion of mental health and substance abuse services within the county jail. Individuals in custody may begin treatment services which focus on access to engagement, motivational interviewing, Medication Assisted Treatment if appropriate, and connection to community-based services once released. Potential benefits include a decrease in overdose at release, increased connection with community-based treatment services, and reduction in recidivism.
Development or expansion of employment programs which provide supported employment, resumes, job coaching, or other services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system who are unemployed.
Development or expansion of housing programs which provide emergency housing resources to homeless individuals arrested for minor law violations.
Law enforcement led diversion programs which provide education and policy updates for local law enforcement to increase diversion to treatment efforts for individuals interacting with law enforcement. Could include outreach officers to co-respond with community mental health providers for individuals frequently interacting with officers due to unmet mental health needs.
First responder led programs which provide a co-response with community mental health providers after overdose rescues or other situations indicative of a behavioral health treatment need.
Development or expansion of a criminal diversion program targeting a particular population of need in the district including individuals with felonies, misdemeanors, juveniles, specific crimes, etc. with the goal of reducing recidivism and connection to community-based treatment services.
Development or expansion of a civil diversion docket for individuals whose criminal charges may be dismissed and instead enter into an agreement for a civil order to community-based treatment services.
Creation of a district diversion office which coordinates all diversion efforts in the county and implements a systemic diversion focus through prearrest, pretrial, pre-adjudication, and post plea or sentencing with the goal of providing a unified approach to diversion, data collection, and education in the district.
