Project Grant H79SM091515

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Washoe County $744,892 on September 30, 2026, under the Center for Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.532) to establish a countywide pre-arrest behavioral health diversion pathway for youth and adults with mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorders in Washoe County, Nevada.

The project will screen individuals at risk of justice involvement, provide care navigation and warm handoffs to treatment and social services, deliver training to partner agencies, and monitor performance. The initiative builds on the county's existing Sequential Intercept Model, Partner Agency Team structure, and crisis response system rather than creating parallel programs. The project will serve 300 unduplicated individuals in year one, 450 annually in years two through five, and 2,100 total over the five-year period. Target populations include youth under age 18 and adults age 18 and older presenting with mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders; participants may also present with psychiatric crises, suicidal ideation, housing instability, and unmet service needs. Veterans will receive dedicated screening and referral pathways in every project year. The project operates across Washoe County, including Reno-Sparks and rural communities (population 507,280), with administrative oversight in Reno, Nevada. The project runs through September 29, 2028. Implementation occurs through an Early Diversion Coalition including representatives from the Washoe County Human Services Agency and other behavioral health and justice sector partners.