The Fast Track to Mental Health: A Look at LA’s Rapid Diversion Program

Ever wondered what it takes to help folks with mental health struggles avoid going to jail? The Los Angeles County Rapid Diversion Program, or RDP, is doing just that. Launched in 2019, this program is different from the usual way of handling pretrial mental health cases. It's running in seven courthouses across LA County and gives a quicker path for people with mental health issues or substance abuse problems who've been charged with certain misdemeanors or felonies. Finish the program, and their case is dismissed! Researchers examined how RDP is working so far. They used a mix of methods to see how the program is running, who's taking part, and what happens to their cases. The goal? To figure out what's working well and where improvements could be made. This could help expand RDP in LA County and set a model for other counties looking to start a similar program. A key find was that people who stick with the program often see their cases dismissed. That’s a big deal! But there’s always room for improvement. Some participants had a tough time staying in the program. Researchers suggest this could be due to the challenges of mental health treatment, like finding the right medication or therapy. Looking ahead, the potential’s huge. If RDP can iron out these wrinkles, it could change how we handle pretrial mental health cases for the better. It’s a shining example of how a well-designed program can make a real difference in people's lives.