Evaluation of county crime reduction grant programs shows success among participants

Several programs aimed at helping people struggling with mental health or substance abuse have proven to be successful, according to a recent evaluation.

A three year grant that was awarded to Santa Cruz County in 2015 helped fund several programs.

In a statement, the county said the grant money helped address the “long-standing need to deliver prevention, diversion and intensive outreach services through additional staff, pre-trial and in-custody programs, and downtown outreach and public safety mental health liaison workers.”

The county says one of those programs, known as “MOST” has made a significant impact for participants.

Out of the 160 participants, there was a 74% reduction in jail bookings and 90% reduction in convictions.

That also resulted in less money being spent on jail costs, “we take a survey with the individuals at the time we enroll them in the program, 12 months prior to enrollment and then we look at 12 months after they’ve been a participant in the program. And jail bed days went down well over 60 percent and in fact the savings in jail bed days over the course of the grant is almost 2 million dollar saving in county costs,” says Pam Rogers-Wyman with Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health.

While the grant funding expired in June, the county says they are finding ways to fund the programs locally.

One participant of the MOST program, Tony Allen, says he would not be here today if it weren’t for the help they provided.

“They were all intelligent, friendly and very helpful. It helped me learn how to meditate and how to think differently, and I no longer even have the thought of suicide in my mind,” says Allen.