Kings County, CA
Kings County Government
california
Suburban | Population: 152,682Kings County, in California’s San Joaquin Valley, is both rural and urban in population. The number of opioid-related deaths in Kings County has increased over the past five years. In 2022, there were 24 total drug overdose deaths and 98 drug overdose emergency department visits. This growing crisis underscores the need to address key social determinants of health, particularly employment, that can either support or hinder successful reentry. Employment is a major barrier for individuals reentering the community from incarceration. Kings County’s unemployment rate (6.6% in April 2022) is nearly double the state (3.8%) and national (3.3%) averages, making it difficult for formerly incarcerated individuals to secure jobs and avoid relapse or reoffending.
"This program aims to reduce the likelihood of a person reoffending and has changed how we address recovery pre-release.”
—Deputy ashlee cano
With their 2022 BJA grant, the Kings County Sheriff’s Office began to address the interconnected challenges of untreated mental health needs and instability during the transitional period between jail and community. An improved discharge process was at the center of their enhanced reentry approach. By identifying barriers and providing individualized solutions, the county aims to promote recovery and reduce the number of people returning to jail.
Optimizing Discharge Workflows
The program operates across several areas, ranging from harm reduction training to peer services to discharge planning. Coordinating these different facets required a strong organizational and data-tracking system. As the team found, slowing down and fine-tuning processes was key to improved operations. The newly created system makes it easier for the discharge staff to maintain consistent client care and quickly access key information. The system also tracks who’s receiving transportation, referrals, or jail-based services such as classes or harm reduction training. The team hopes the data system will provide a strong foundation for sustainability, with outputs showing the program's value.
Program Elements
Discharge Interview and Planning
620
individuals interviewed and connected to resources
A discharge planner meets with each participant before they leave the jail to address any barriers and ensure smooth transitions to care post-release. A deputy works with participants before discharge based on indicated reentry needs. This may include naloxone distribution, training, and legal identification support. During discharge planning, people can also receive referrals to community providers for benefits assistance, behavioral health, and substance use treatment. Approximately 620 formerly incarcerated people have been interviewed and connected to resources.
Transportation Support
The discharge nurse collaborates with the jail medical transport team and the medical sergeant to provide transportation services to Kings View Behavioral Health and the Champions Recovery Program.
Employment Assistance and Training
Participants can receive employment planning and mentoring support, interview preparation, and skills building.
Virtual Peer Support
24/7
virtual peer support services
Through a partnership with Youturn, participants can access 24/7 virtual peer support, family support, and assessment services.
Coordination with Community Partners
Members of the team attend Homeless Coordination community meetings regularly to stay updated on resources available in the community and build relationships with potential partners.
Key Achievements
Enhanced transitions via collaboration with probation and community partners.
Reduced barriers to care through transportation connections.
Increased access to jail-based and post-release peer support.
Improved post-release employability through training and mentorship.
Collaborative Partners
Kings County Job Training Office
Kings County Justice-Involved Collaboration
Kings County Sheriff's Office
Kings County Jail
Homeless Coordination / Kings View / Champions
Mindset (assistance with disability benefits applications SSI/SSDI)
Youturn Health Peer Support
Looking Forward
Over the next year, the program aims to expand services to access medical and behavioral health services, case management to connect individuals to resources, benefit application assistance, community transition planning, improving data collection, and creating a reentry strategy to increase public safety and reduce recidivism.
Project Director
Cassandra Bakker, Fiscal Analyst
Kings County
cassandra.bakker@co.kings.ca.us
559-852-2820
This project was supported by Grant No. 15PBJA23GK02258COAP awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.