In this report, the authors present an assessment of the Los Angeles County Rapid Diversion Program (RDP) implementation. Established in 2019, RDP allows for the diversion of individuals with a mental health diagnosis or substance use disorder and certain qualifying charges. Using a mixed-methods evaluation, the authors explore program implementation, case outcomes for individuals who participate in RDP, and strengths and areas for improvement.

Process Evaluation of the Los Angeles County Rapid Diversion Program

A Pretrial Mental Health Diversion Program

Stephanie Brooks Holliday, Elizabeth Marsolais, Samantha Matthews

ResearchPublished Sep 30, 2024

The Los Angeles County Rapid Diversion Program (RDP) is a pretrial mental health diversion program operating in seven courthouses in Los Angeles County, California. Established in 2019 as a faster approach to pretrial mental health diversion compared with the traditional approach, RDP allows for the diversion of individuals who have a mental health diagnosis or substance use disorder and certain qualifying misdemeanor or felony charges. Individuals who complete the program have their case dismissed.

In this report, the authors present findings from a formal assessment of program implementation to date. Using a mixed-methods evaluation, they explore current program operations, characteristics of and case outcomes for individuals who participate in RDP, and strengths and areas for improvement. Lessons learned from this evaluation have the potential to inform efforts to scale the program within Los Angeles County and to other counties interested in implementing a similar pretrial diversion program.

Key Findings

  • RDP has filled an important place in the continuum of options for people in Los Angeles County who have behavioral health concerns and are involved in the legal system.
  • The program's goal was to reduce the inefficiencies in the traditional mental health diversion process, which it accomplished by embedding the diversion infrastructure within the court setting, focusing on individuals with minor behavioral health concerns and low-level charges, and streamlining the evaluation and linkage process.
  • The program has served a large volume of clients, with a graduation rate of at least 53 percent and a recidivism rate of approximately 9 percent among graduates.
  • Certain individual and case factors—such as age, misdemeanor versus felony chargers, custody status at evaluation, and race and ethnicity—are associated with success at each stage.
  • Program challenges include concerns about the brief evaluation and diversion report, variations in procedures among courthouses, difficulties in linking clients to services, and gaps in service for certain populations.
  • Program strengths include its rapid diversion compared with traditional mental health diversion; collaboration among attorneys, clinicians, and implementation partners; and positive outcomes for program graduates.
  • Program graduates noted that the treatment they received through the program has helped them build skills, address their mental health and substance use, and change their mindset.

Recommendations

  • For RDP and implementation partners: Improve awareness of the program among implementation partners.
  • Formalize program documentation.
  • Revisit the exception protocol process.
  • Create more opportunities for formal contact between the defense and prosecution to build stronger relationships.
  • Provide sufficient support for case managers.
  • Collect and share data frequently with implementation partners.
  • Related to the larger implementation context: Provide additional funding to support dedicated staff roles within the program.
  • Fund dedicated treatment centers that can be used for RDP clients.
  • Improve collaboration and interagency partnership within the county.

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Document Details

Citation

RAND Style Manual
Holliday, Stephanie Brooks, Elizabeth Marsolais, and Samantha Matthews, Process Evaluation of the Los Angeles County Rapid Diversion Program: A Pretrial Mental Health Diversion Program, RAND Corporation, RR-A3385-1, 2024. As of October 15, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3385-1.html
Chicago Manual of Style
Holliday, Stephanie Brooks, Elizabeth Marsolais, and Samantha Matthews, Process Evaluation of the Los Angeles County Rapid Diversion Program: A Pretrial Mental Health Diversion Program. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2024. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3385-1.html.
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This research was prepared for the Los Angeles Public Defender's Office and conducted in the Justice Policy Program within RAND Social and Economic Well-Being.

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