Process Evaluation of the Los Angeles County Rapid Diversion Program: A Pretrial Mental Health Diversion Program.

Abstract

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 study, 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.