The Whatcom County LEAD program will add two additional intensive case managers thanks to a $420,000 grant from the Washington State Healthcare Authority. The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion/Let Everyone Advance with Dignity program uses a national framework to prevent recidivism, reduce criminal behavior, improve public safety, and foster long-term recovery and stability for people with multiple low-level criminal offenses.
“Adding two additional intensive case managers will allow us to reduce the waiting list of people who want to participate in the LEAD program,” said Malora Christensen, Response Systems Division Manager. “The expanded staffing should allow us to serve 160-170 participants at any one time. Currently we are serving 140 LEAD participants as of July 2024”.
LEAD is a voluntary program that has seen dramatic success for people who participate. In the last two years:
- There has been an 83% average annual decrease in jail bookings in the 12 months before versus the 12 months after someone participates in the program.
- There has been a 93% average annual decrease in total days spent in jail in the 12 months before versus the 12 months after someone participates in the program.
“The data shows that LEAD works to improve safety and well-being at both the individual and community level,” Christensen said. “Knowing how successful program participants are in LEAD, it is really exciting to receive this grant and know it will allow us to help additional community members. .”
The program expects to post these two additional positions and conduct job interviews in early fall, with the new intensive case managers starting their jobs in October of 2024.
LEAD is part of the Whatcom County Health and Community Services Response Systems Division, which is made up of programs designed specifically to reduce:
- Significant volumes of 911 calls by individual users.
- Negative interactions with law enforcement.
- Jail bookings and recidivism.
- High volume EMS usage by individual users.
- High-frequency emergency department visits by individual users.
All Response Systems programs work closely with community partners that include law enforcement, EMS, What-Comm 911 dispatch, tribes, and healthcare providers. Anyone can make a referral to LEAD, and most referrals come from law enforcement partners.
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