San Luis Obispo County, CA
San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health
california
Urban | Population: 281,639San Luis Obispo County is confronting a critical public health and safety challenge driven by the escalating toll of opioid and stimulant misuse. In 2021, the county’s age-adjusted death rate due to all opioid overdoses reached 45.2 per 100,000 residents, markedly higher than California’s average rate of 26.8 per 100,000. Additionally, emergency department visits for opioid overdoses in the county reached 78 per 100,000 residents, far exceeding the state average of 53.8 per 100,000. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for targeted, evidence-based interventions to address substance use disorders and their cascading effects on the criminal justice system.
Supported by a 2023 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) grant, this initiative delivers comprehensive, evidence-based treatment and recovery support for high-risk adults with co-occurring substance use disorders. Through a robust partnership among the County’s Behavioral Health Department, Superior Court, Probation, and Sheriff’s Office, the program offers intensive case management, 90-day Recovery Residence stays compliant with Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for participants transitioning from custody to community-based care. The project aims to reduce recidivism, lower overdose fatalities, and support sustained recovery by addressing both substance use and underlying mental health needs, leveraging robust data tracking and cross-system collaboration.
Key Components of the Program
Jail-Based Behavioral Health Support
For the first time, the San Luis Obispo County Health Department (SLOCHD) has embedded a Behavioral Health Specialist within the jail, providing intensive case management to adults diagnosed with opioid or stimulant use disorders. This specialist delivers support both during incarceration and post-release, bridging the gap between custody and community-based treatment.
Comprehensive Reentry Planning
78
individuals have received case management services
Upon release, participants continue working with their assigned case manager to receive comprehensive reentry services. These include assistance in obtaining state-issued IDs, job searches, employment readiness, and insurance reactivation, particularly reestablishing Medicaid eligibility.
Reentry Housing and Transportation
32
individuals have received recovery-focused housing
A key component of successful reentry is stable housing and reliable transportation. Case managers assist participants in securing post-release housing in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)-appropriate recovery residences, such as Oxford Houses. To reduce barriers to treatment and community engagement, the program provides 31-day bus passes through the state Medi-Cal program (at no cost to the grant) and supplements these with single-use passes for individuals released unexpectedly or during off-hours. Together, these supports ensure participants have safe, timely access to essential services during this critical period following incarceration.
Collaborative Partners
San Luis Obispo County Jail Staff
San Luis Obispo County Probation
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office
San Luis Obispo County Public Defender’s Office
San Luis Obispo County Superior Courts
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office
Conclusion
5
collaborative community partner meetings
San Luis Obispo County is advancing public safety by ensuring individuals are screened and connected to services before release, with continued support during the critical reentry period. This approach not only promotes individual recovery but also strengthens overall community well-being. Over the next year, the program aims to recruit a second Behavioral Health Specialist, expanding its reach and operating at full staffing levels. This will support the ultimate goal of ensuring seamless transfers from incarceration to residential treatment, including uninterrupted access to outpatient MAT services, preventing any lapse in critical care. The program is designed to provide a foundation for long-term sobriety and recovery, equipping participants who successfully engage with access to the tools and life skills needed to foster stability and personal growth. By reducing criminal recidivism and easing the burden on the justice and behavioral health systems, the program improves safety and quality of life for individuals in recovery, their families, law enforcement, and the broader San Luis Obispo community.
Project Director
Kristina Paramore, Licensed Therapist
San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health
kparamore@co.slo.ca.us
805-781-4759
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.