Federal funding will expand support services & help law enforcement effectively respond to emergencies involving substance abuse
Fulton County program aims to help people struggling with addiction get treatment & support instead of ending up in the criminal justice system
Atlanta, Ga. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is expanding resources to treat substance abuse and addiction in Fulton County.
Sen. Ossoff is delivering a $1.6 million grant to the Fulton County Department of Behavioral Health and Disabilities, in partnership with the Atlanta Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative, to launch the Fulton County Diversion and Deflection Recovery Program.
The program aims to respond to substance abuse, promote public safety, and support access to treatment and recovery services. With this Federal funding, Fulton County will expand services including screening, assessment, specialty outpatient treatment, and individual and group therapy provided through contracts with community-based providers.
These new resources, delivered through the U.S. Department of Justice, will help those struggling with abuse get treatment instead of ending up in the criminal justice system by expanding the services of the Center for Diversion & Services (the Center) to several new areas. The Center was established in 2021 by the City of Atlanta and Fulton County to provide an alternative to placing people suffering from behavioral health issues in jail or detention.
“I’m delivering these resources for a major expansion of mental health care and substance abuse treatment services in Fulton County,” Sen. Ossoff said.
“Mental Health is one of the most pressing issues facing Fulton County residents. The mental health needs among justice-involved persons are especially urgent,” said Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts. “We are grateful to Senator Ossoff and the U.S. Department of Justice for providing these resources to help address this need.”
The Fulton County Diversion and Deflection Recovery Program will:
- Provide training and professional development to new and existing law enforcement officers to promote diversion to the Center.
- Provide intensive care navigation for diverted participants and increase access to recovery housing for those in need.
- Provide evidence-based mobile behavioral health services to diverted individuals in recovery housing.
- Conduct deflection outreach to targeted areas of high crime and high usage in North and South Fulton to connect individuals with needed services before they become involved with the criminal justice system.
Sen. Ossoff continues to advocate for mental health services and expanded resources for law enforcement officers responding to mental health emergencies.
Last year, Sen. Ossoff’s bipartisan bill to fund law enforcement and mental health services became law.
Last year, Sen. Ossoff also pushed for the bipartisan Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act of 2022, legislation he co-sponsored to improve public safety and help law enforcement respond to calls involving mental health emergencies.
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