| This coming Tuesday at the Board of Supervisors we will discuss a report showing that our County has a higher-than-average jail incarceration rate compared to the rest of California, and hear an update on efforts to better manage the population of the jail. The most basic service in government is public safety, but it does not make us safe when some people are ending up in jail, or coming back to it, because of a lack of mental health services. We have a moral imperative to improve the situation. But we also have a financial need as well. As budgetary challenges loom on the horizon, the growing costs at the jail threaten to pre-empt any of our other priorities – parks, roads, libraries, and more. As the Board of Supervisors representative on the Community Corrections Partnership, I recently worked with our Behavioral Wellness Department to expand mental health treatment beds for justice system-involved individuals. During this pilot program, clients will receive intensive mental health treatment services to help them stabilize, and eventually move to a lower level of care with more independence.
But this is just one of many parts of a complex system, where criminal justice is interwoven with healthcare, social services and more. That’s why the County Executive Office invites the public to join them next Friday, January 26 as they work to update the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM). The meeting serves as an opportunity to learn about ongoing initiatives, discuss potential gaps or opportunities, and gather input from advocates, residents, and service providers. Following this collaborative input session, the County’s goal is to launch an updated public-facing SIM map and framework by spring 2024, addressing identified gaps and proposing solutions.
Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) Mapping Meeting
Friday, January 26, 2024
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Carrillo Ballroom, 100 E. Carrillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA
For more information or to confirm attendance, please contact Angelica Ramirez at (805) 568-3400 or aramirez@countyofsb.org.
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