Press Releases

San Luis Obispo – Today, Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24) announced San Luis Obispo County will receive three federal grants totaling $1.79 million from the Department of Justice to support programs that improve outcomes for individuals with mental illnesses and substance abuse issues who come into contact with the criminal justice system.

San Luis Obispo County will receive $400,000 through the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) to support initiatives which aim to safely reduce the prevalence of low-risk individuals with mental illnesses in local jails and facilitate collaboration between law enforcement, substance abuse treatments, and mental health professionals.

“Strengthening the partnership between law enforcement and mental health services ensures individuals struggling with mental illnesses have access to the care they need while also addressing their wrongdoings,” said Rep. Carbajal. “I’m grateful for this funding which helps fill a serious gap in our criminal justice system.”

The San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health Department will receive $500,000 to enhance the adult drug court program, including the successful Veteran Treatment Court, which provides a sentencing alternative for veterans who are suffering from addiction or mental health issues. An additional $889,229 will go toward the Family Treatment Court, a program specifically designed for parents with a history of substance abuse and who are also involved in a child welfare service case.

“Drug courts have a solid track record of positive outcomes and have given individuals struggling with addiction greater hope and opportunity for recovery. These resources go a long way toward expanding existing services and building on the partnerships that ensure those who face the criminal justice system due to substance abuse get the help they need.” said Rep. Carbajal.

“County of San Luis Obispo Behavioral Health Department is so pleased to be working alongside the federal government’s Bureau of Justice to fight the local opioid epidemic by providing expanded services to families and adults in our treatment court programs,” said Star Graber, Division Manager of the Drug and Alcohol Services and Forensics Division at the San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health Department “These expanded services will provide much needed stability for recovery over the long-term.”

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