STOCKTON — The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Tuesday formally adopted a resolution to accept $6 million in grant funding from the California Board of State and Community Corrections, thanks in part to California voters’ approval of a 2014 ballot measure.
The much-needed funding will be invested in the County’s programs to help those in need of mental health and substance abuse services. 
“On behalf of individuals and families in need of treatment for themselves and their loved ones, we banded together to vigorously compete for this grant funding,” said Chuck Winn, San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors chair. “We’re pleased to dedicate these funds to programs that will make a difference in the lives of those seeking recovery and a path out of homelessness along with mental health and substance abuse treatment  that will help lead them to self-sufficiency and become more productive members of our society.”
In the 2014 November election, California voters approved Proposition 47, which reduced penalties for certain non-serious and non-violent drug and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. The measure directs state savings from reduced incarceration rates to be used to support truancy prevention, mental health and substance abuse treatment and victim services.     
“We submitted our grant application to the State last February,” added Frances Hutchins, San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services Interim Director. “Our rigorous attention to this effort paid off as our application was one of 23 projects out of 58 across the state whose recovery programs received the funding.” 
Representatives of the County’s Health Care Services Agency, District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Sheriff’s Department and Superior Court participated in the planning and development of the grant application.
The County’s Prop 47 grant program is part of the Homeward Bound initiative that seeks to create community-based mental health and substance use disorder treatment programs, expanded case management services, diversion opportunities and housing support services for non-serious, non-violent offenders.
Through the Homeward Bound initiative, the County will use the Prop 47 grant funds to:
uPartner with Community Medical Centers, Inc., a local Federally Qualified Health Center, to implement withdrawal management services for alcohol and drugs. The project will also include assessments for high-risk individuals, housing services and case management.
uCover staffing costs associated with withdrawal management services and other operating costs and overhead.
uFund housing-related assistance including financial assistance (i.e. security deposits, utility payments, moving-costs) and up to 18 months of rental assistance, focused on a rapid re-housing approach to move people immediately out of homelessness.
uProvide for up to three new case management positions. The County will contract with local community-based organizations to provide case management services, which may include in-custody re-entry planning, help in navigating services, document procurement and basic job skills.
The Board’s action directs the County’s Behavioral Health Services budget to be increased by $2 million for 2017-2018, with offsetting grant revenue. The 38-month Prop 47 grant ends Aug.t 15, 2020 with the first $2 million to be dedicated to the project for a 14-month period, and then an additional $2 million each 12-month period thereafter, for a total of $6 million over the 38-month period. There is no additional cost to the County General Fund.