The document discusses Fairfax County's Diversion First program, which aims to provide alternatives to incarceration for those with mental illnesses, substance abuse disorders, or developmental disabilities who come into contact with the criminal justice system for low-level offenses. It outlines the goals of treatment and prevention over incarceration, describes how the program works across various intercept points, and highlights the roles of the police department, community services board, courts, and other county agencies in making the program a success.

1. Fairfax County Presentation Team
Board of Supervisors | Police | CSB | County Executive’s Office

2. UNDERSTANDING CRIMINAL LAW
Four Purposes of Criminal Law:
1. Deterrent – persuade others not to commit crime.
2. Restraint – Prevent the criminal from committing the crime.
3. Rehabilitation – Change behavior of the person.
4. Retribution – Impose punishment because of the harm caused to
the victim.
How are these purposes achieved if the person in question has a
mental health challenge or developmental disability?

3. DIVERSION FIRST SERVES PEOPLE WITH
1. Mental Illness
2. Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders
3. Developmental Disabilities

4. THE PROBLEM - 1
• Too many people are in jail due to mental illness.
• 1 in 5 Americans has a mental illness.
• 1 in 25 Americans has a serious mental illness.
• Having a mental illness is not a crime.
• Jail is not the appropriate place to provide crisis intervention or
mental health treatment.
• Jail costs more than prevention or treatment.
• The criminalization of people with mental illness is a social, health
and justice issue.
People with
Mental Illness
& Jail

5. THE PROBLEM - 2
• People needing diversion may also have a substance use disorder, which
often co-occurs with mental illness.
• 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. experience a substance use disorder.
• 90% did not receive treatment in the past year
• 8.5 million adults in the U.S. have a co-occurring substance use disorder.
• Jail does not help people regain control of their lives.
• Difficult to find employment, housing, etc.
• Mental illness and substance use disorders gone untreated in jail often
results in “recidivism” (going back to jail again).
People with Co-
occurring
Substance Use
Disorders & Jail

6. THE PROBLEM - 3
• Police officers do not always know how to approach or communicate
with someone who has a developmental disability.
• People with disabilities have died during interactions with police.
• Police officers can perceive certain behaviors as “suspicious” when in
reality, the behaviors are due to a developmental disability.
• People with developmental disabilities should not have to go through a
traumatic arrest process or be in jail for low-level offenses.
• People with disabilities and families of people with disabilities should
not fear interactions with law enforcement.
People with
Disabilities
& Police

7. THE SOLUTION: DIVERSION FIRST
• Treatment and support should be prioritized when possible.
• Jail is not the default solution.
• Treatment is more effective and costs less than jail.
• Right thing to do to offer treatment to people who need it.
• Other jurisdictions across the country have implemented similar
Diversion programs.
• 21st Century Policing.
• The Criminal Justice Academy teaches officers how to de-escalate
crisis situations and avoid arrest when possible for low-level offenses
for people with developmental disabilities or mental illness.

8. DIVERSION FIRST DEFINITION
• Diversion First offers alternatives to incarceration for people with
mental illness or developmental disabilities who come into contact
with the criminal justice system for low level offenses.
• The goal is to intercede whenever possible to provide assessment,
treatment or needed supports. People needing diversion may also
have a substance use disorder, which often co-occurs with mental
illness.
• Diversion First is designed to prevent repeat encounters with the
criminal justice system, improve public safety, promote a healthier
community and is a more cost effective and efficient use of public
funding.

9. OVERVIEW: HOW IT WORKS
• 5 “Intercept Points” for Diverting People to Treatment
1. Pre-Arrest: Interaction with Public Safety or Emergency Services
2. Post-Arrest: Initial Court Hearings/Magistrates
3. Jails/Courts: Engage with and motivate individuals to seek treatment as they transition
4. Post-Jail: Reentry into the community, supervision, parole, probation
5. In the Community: Community Support Services
• Goal 1: Divert people to treatment instead of incarceration
• Goal 2: Divert people from the cycle of crime as well

10. CYCLE OF CRIME - EXAMPLE

11. FAIRFAX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
• Goals
• Board of Supervisors plans to approve Diversion First definition
• Communicate with residents about Diversion First
• Current Successes
• Approved Diversion First Budget items
• Implemented many citizen recommendations resulting from Ad Hoc Police
Review Practices Commission
• What still needs to be done
• Working with Public Defenders Office, Commonwealth Attorney and
Courts to expand Diversion First into the judicial system (new docket)

12. MULTI-AGENCY EFFORT

13. TODAY’S TEAM
Supervisor John Cook, Braddock District
Lieutenant Ryan Morgan, Fairfax County Police
Belinda Buescher, Community Services Board
Dan Cronnell, Community Services Board
Laura Yager, Office of the County Executive
Image Credit: http://www.everythinglongbeach.com/author-panel-long-beach-public-library/

14. FAIRFAX COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
• Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Trained Law Enforcement Officers
• 40 hours of instruction, simulation and practical exercises
• People experiencing a mental health crisis
• People experiencing co-occurring substance use disorders
• Youth and adults with developmental disabilities
• 170 CIT graduates in state-approved CIT model
• CIT Training Components Specifically for People with Disabilities

15. FAIRFAX COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Beyond CIT Training…
Merrifield Crisis Response Center
• Sheriff’s deputies and police officers on duty
• Exchange of custody
• Highly utilized service
From January- June 2016:
• 771 individuals came to CSB emergency services with law enforcement
involvement
• 209 were diverted from potential arrest

16. FAIRFAX COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
• If you are calling 9-1-1 for a mental health crisis or emergency,
request a CIT-trained officer to respond.
• 24-Hour CSB Emergency Services Phone: 703-573-5679 | TTY: 711
• When to call 911 and when to call CSB Emergency Services

17. Fairfax-Falls Church CSB
• What is the CSB?
• Offers services for people with mental illness, substance use disorders and
developmental disabilities.
• Established by state law – 1 of 40 in Virginia.
• Serves residents of Fairfax County and cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.
• All are eligible for CSB emergency services. Various eligibility requirements for
other services.
• Fees are charged on a sliding scale.
• No one eligible for services is turned away due to inability to pay.

18. Fairfax-Falls Church CSB
• What’s the CSB role in Diversion First?
• Offers emergency services for people experiencing a psychiatric emergency.
• Evaluates severity of mental health crisis.
• Psychiatric hospital placement
• Merrifield is not a hospital
• Helps person in crisis to stabilize.
• Calming room
• Medication
• Assesses individual to determine best course of action.
• May recommend additional services and supports from CSB or other
community providers.

19. Fairfax-Falls Church CSB
• What is the Merrifield Center?
• CSB’s largest service site. Many types of services.
• Emergency Services (24/7) on building’s lower level.
• What is the Merrifield Crisis Response Center?
• Diversion First intercept point.
• Located with CSB Emergency Services at Merrifield.
• Staffed by CSB emergency services, specially trained Sheriff’s deputy and
law enforcement officer.
• Crisis stabilization, transfer of police custody, sally port.

20. Fairfax-Falls Church CSB
When the person in crisis
has an intellectual/developmental disability
• Emergency Services staff checks health record to see if person is
already receiving ID/DD services.
• ES staff may reach out to senior CSB staff with DD expertise.
• CSB staff in ID/DD services can help ES staff line up additional services
and supports for individual and family.

21. FAIRFAX COUNTY STAFF
• Other Interactions with Public Safety Officers
• Fire & Rescue
• Sheriff’s Deputies

22. FAIRFAX COUNTY STAFF
• How Diversion First got off the ground
• Bexar County, Texas visit
• National Stepping Up Initiative (stepuptogether.org)
• Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission Recommendation
• Stakeholders Group
• Funding
• FY2017 Fairfax County Budget
• $7.5 million to implement many Ad Hoc Police Report recommendations
• $3.89 million and a number of new staff positions for Diversion First.
• Grants
• State DBHDS funds for CIT site ($620+ over 2 years)
• Small DCJS funds
• US DOJ pending application
• DCJS mental health-jail services (pending)
• Stepping Up Summit and National Leadership Institute

23. FAIRFAX COUNTY STAFF
• Today
• Workforce development (CIT, MHFA, FRD MH Training)
• MCRC launch (771 individuals in first 6 months)
• Engaged stakeholders, leadership, and partners
• Increased collaboration across systems
• Future
• 24/7 LEO coverage at Merrifield Crisis Response Center (MCRC)
• Problem solving team at individual and system levels
• Data around prevalence, individual and system outcomes, stronger screening
• Mental health supports in the court system moving toward docket
• Community mental health partnerships to expand access to care
• Community supports around transitions out of jails
• Fire and Rescue Diversion from Emergency Departments
• Expedited medical clearance
• Resources to meet specific identified needs

24. CALL TO ACTION
• Call 911 and ask for CIT police officer
• Call CSB Emergency Services: 703-573-5679
• Come directly to Merrifield Crisis Response Center in emergency
• Open 24/7
• Spread the word to parents, friends and Arc Members
• Newsletters
• Social Media
• Word of Mouth
• Schedule Group Tour of the Merrifield Center
• Take Group Mental Health/First Aid Training through CSB
• Come to our Quarterly Stakeholder Group meetings
Ask for CIT

25. CONNECT | GET INVOLVED
Web: fairfaxcounty.gov/diversionfirst
Email: diversionfirst@fairfaxcounty.gov
Diversion First Stakeholder Group Meeting
Oct. 17, 2016, 7-9pm
Fairfax County Government Center Conference Rooms 9/10
Diversion First subcommittee meetings
Q&A