Project redirect: an early diversion circuit - highland rivers CSB D.B.A. Highland rivers behavioral health (HRBH), in partnership with the cobb county solicitor general, cobb county sheriff's office,…

Project redirect: an early diversion circuit - highland rivers CSB D.B.A. Highland rivers behavioral health (HRBH), in partnership with the cobb county solicitor general, cobb county sheriff's office, warrior alliance and magistrate court, will work to create an early diversion program, project redirect, designed to better avert adults, children, and youth experiencing mental health crises from jail and/or unnecessary higher levels of inpatient care and/or legal impact in cobb county georgia. Cobb county is located just outside the perimeter of atlanta, GA. Cobb county has a predominantly white population with 51.1% with african americans making up the second most percentage of the population at 28.8%. IT is the 3RD most populated county in georgia with 771,165 people currently living there . IT is estimated that 114,332 individuals living in cobb have a mental illness, 30,488 of those are considered severe mental illness while 78,955 individuals have a substance use disorder. Although traditional factors for socioeconomic well-being appear better than US averages, when we look at the pockets of poverty that make up 14 % of the population these demographics are much lower. The census tract with the highest poverty rate in the county is 310.01 (34%) in fair oaks, an area along south cobb drive between smyrna and marietta . That tract also has the lowest median household income in the county at just over $29,000. The total population in cobb county combined that had poverty rate higher than the US average is approximately 115,000 . As the primary community behavioral health center within its region, highland rivers behavioral health (HRBH) is part of a public safety net of providers in georgia, funded to serve the uninsured, underinsured, medicaid, medicare and VA benefits population in northwest georgia who experience substance use and CO-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. To reduce the reliance on jail systems, ED's and higher end crisis services for individuals with MH/ SUD, and COD, highland rivers behavioral health the cobb county solicitor general, cobb county sheriff's office, warrior alliance and magistrate court will develop and implement an early diversion program in cobb county georgia. This will be completed by establishing a behavioral health partnership workgroup, increasing training for law enforcement and judicial partners, and initiating programmatic elements that connect individuals to resources at the right moment in time. Highland rivers behavioral health intends to serve 50 individuals in year 1, 65 in year 2, 75 in year 3, 74 in year 4 and 85 in year 5 totaling to 350 throughout the project timeframe.