Diversion Resources

 

It is well known that the best way to keep people with behavioral health challenges out of the criminal court system is to get them the help and resources they need before a crime is committed. One avenue for this is through diversion programs. DSHS and the Health Care Authority, through the DSHS vs. Trueblood lawsuit, have created several programs to divert people away from the criminal court system so they can get the necessary care when it is needed.

These include:

  • Crisis triage and stabilization facilities
  • Co-responder programs that pair behavioral health professionals with police officers for calls related to behavioral health
  • Crisis intervention training for law enforcement officers
  • Certified peer counselors
  • Prosecutorial Diversion Programs

Prosecutorial Diversion One Pager 

Ideally, diversion happens before a crime is committed, but when that is not the case, behavioral health professionals and law enforcement can use the Sequential Intercept Model to keep people with behavioral health needs out of jail.

For more on the Sequential Intercept Model, click here

For more information about DSHS diversion efforts, contact BHA Liaison and Diversion Specialist Jason Karpen at jason.karpen@dshs.wa.gov.

Links to some diversion resources in Washington:

Central Washington Catholic Charities Diversion Programs

Clark County Diversion Program

Community Integrated Health Services Trueblood Diversion

Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Post-Charge Diversion and Deferred Prosecution Program

King County Diversion and Reentry Services

Pierce County Trueblood Diversion Program

Snohomish County Diversion Center

Snohomish County Felony Diversion Program

Spokane County Diversion Program

Thurston County Diversion Program

Thurston County Pretrial Services

Treatment Advocacy Center

Washington Diversion Courts Directory