Orange County NC Website
2 <br /> to expand to a separate harm reduction track, which would allow for diversion for low level <br /> offenses committed by individuals impacted by behavioral health concerns, homelessness and <br /> prior criminal justice involvement. These high utilizers will be linked to appropriate resources <br /> and will avoid the trauma of arrest, short-term incarceration and justice system involvement. <br /> This harm reduction model of diversion moves away from ineffective punitive models and <br /> unnecessary law enforcement response and increases public safety, enhances stability and <br /> improves public health. <br /> With the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020, homeless service providers reduced, <br /> changed, and eliminated existing services to comply with social distancing and other response <br /> recommendations. As a result, existing homeless service gaps, including street outreach, have <br /> been exacerbated and deepened. On any given night, there are thirty to forty people living <br /> unsheltered in Orange County. We are seeing these numbers increase during the COVID-19 <br /> response and recovery period. Research shows that street outreach programs that link people <br /> with housing improve health outcomes and positively impact spending in other sections <br /> including healthcare and the criminal justice system. In addition, recent national incidents of <br /> police brutality have led to a new urgency in addressing systemic racism in policing and a <br /> conversation about reinvestment in communities. Increasing therapeutic responses and <br /> deflection from the criminal justice system, where it is safe and appropriate, have been widely <br /> considered an evidence-based best practice for improved outcomes for individuals. Reimagining <br /> law enforcement as one of the conduits for referring people in crisis to behavioral health <br /> treatment experts and peer support is an important example of a reinvestment in impacted <br /> communities. <br /> In August 2020, the CJRD and Housing Departments were awarded an Emergency Solutions <br /> CARES Act grant in the amount of $256,225.00 for the Street Outreach and Harm Reduction <br /> Program. This one year of funding will support three positions to administer the program, which <br /> is designed to connect people living unsheltered with housing, therapeutic interventions, critical <br /> resources and ongoing peer support and case management. The program will also increase <br /> harm reduction efforts and reduce unnecessary law enforcement response and justice <br /> involvement, where deflection is appropriate. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable <br /> to this item: <br /> • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND <br /> INEQUITY <br /> The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; <br /> religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or <br /> ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic <br /> status. <br /> • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY <br /> The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary <br /> for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their <br /> dependents. <br />