Los Angeles County

Staff working in the LA County Courthouse

Our Impact

  • 96% of graduates have had no further contact with the criminal justice system

  • 1,300 clinical assessments completed in the Rapid Diversion Program

  • 450 cases have been diverted in the Rapid Diversion Program

LA County Courthouse
This case was a wake up call to take my symptoms seriously and to take my medication. Whenever I feel weak I have people I can reach out to. I’m very thankful for them. I now have healthier habits and I feel optimistic.
A 2021 Rapid Diversion Program (RDP) Graduate

Publications & Digital Media

See All Publications and Digital Media 

News

  • L.A. criminal court program diverts mentally ill offenders from prosecution

    Los Angeles Times

    Los Angeles County’s jails house a staggering number of people with mental illnesses, where these conditions go untreated and can even get worse. Under the county’s Rapid Diversion Program, operated in partnership with the Center, more than 1,500 people have been given the chance to receive treatment in their communities instead. So far, 350 people have graduated from the program to see their charges reduced or dropped.

  • How Communities are Creating More Equitable Justice Systems with a Focus on Mental Health

    Microsoft News

    In Los Angeles County, home to the country's largest jail population, the city and local organizations are partnering to create more equity in the legal process by focusing on mental health. The Center is helping to implement the LA-based Rapid Diversion Program, which helps individuals with mental health diagnoses connect with case management, treatment, housing and job services, and cases are dismissed when a participant completes the program. "If we’re able to help one person and change their trajectory, it can have compounding impacts for their families and their communities,” Chidinma Ume, our interim director of policy, says. Brett Taylor, senior advisor of West Coast Initiatives is also quoted.

View Archive 

Looking to Implement a Program in Your Neighborhood?

We work with communities across the country implement programs that reduce gun violence. Find out more about how we can help you.

Partners

A growing list of some of our partners.

We rely on the generosity of supporters to do the work we do.