LGBTQ

One of five intensive 3-day RJ trainings offered to criminal justice agencies around the United States in partnership with the Center for Justice Innovation.

MA DPS is requesting any tools or TTA support that could provide guidance on navigating local politics and their impact on COSSUP implementation. Namely, one subgrantee (the City of Brockton) is navigating harmful, city-level homelessness policies that may impact the substance use/overdose prevention work that the subgrantee plans to implement with COSSUP funding. Site would appreciate and insight on strategies for navigating policies like these as a state entity, when the issues are taking place at the local level.

Panel Description
Law enforcement agencies around the country are exploring alternative strategies, called deflection, to promote safer and more positive interactions between law enforcement and people who have behavioral health needs. These strategies aim to prevent future crises and link individuals to community-based services facilitated by specially trained law enforcement officers. This panel will discuss how these efforts have helped law enforcement respond to the unique needs of their communities.
Speakers:

Description: Deflection is a collaborative intervention connecting public safety and public health systems to create community-based pathways to treatment for people who have substance use disorders (SUDs), mental health disorders, and other service needs, without their entry into the justice system.

TA Request and presentation: FY23 grantee Northampton, Massachusetts has requested CHJ's attendance at a community convening on March 20th, 2024 where they will be launching their community response deflection pathway and providing educational opportunities to attendees to learn about their new and existing deflection programs and substance use disorders in general. Onsite training from CHJ would include a panel presentation on an overview of the six pathways of deflection, a perspective from a national level and a discussion of deflection in Massachusetts.

The public-facing Hate Crimes TTA Program website went live on June 20, 2024. As of June 30, the site has attracted 1,127 unique visitors, resulting in 4,602 page views since its publication.

TLPI offered a May webinar series highlighting National Treatment Court Month. The following webinars were offered:
May 2 - Serving LGBTQ2S+ Participants in THWCs;
May 9 - The Power of Storytelling;
May 16 - Implementing and Supporting Trauma-Informed Legal Systems;
May 24 - Mentor Court Program - Promising Practices in Peer to Peer Learning;
May 30 - Protectors, Warriors, and Soldiers (Veteran).

The team discussed the third-party reporting issue that recently arose. The PC reported a solution was identified with the ombudsman. Coach provided a PRC Standards in Focus document.
All grant goals are complete. The team discussed finalizing grant documents in JustGrants. The grantee will send a copy and TMG will complete close-out documents. No further meetings scheduled.

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office (OPSO) continues to struggle and to be in the planning stage. Early in this quarter, Deputy Faggin continued to work with Bernadette Brown to iron out a potential scope of work. Bernadette submitted that scope of work at the end of the last quarter, which details a training and TA plan to increase effective, professional, and respectful communication with LGBTQIA+ people in custody. Deputy Faggin and Bernadette communicated in April about the scope of work, which Deputy Faggin is in favor of.

During this reporting period, the investigator was onboarded. The PC and the new investigator completed TMG's juvenile investigator training in May. A new PREA Compliance Manager for one of the facilities is being trained.

The GAM was not completed to move funds to increase Caliente Youth Center's camera system. The team is waiting on the exact dollar amount for the project before proceeding. A contract is pending execution with the selected vendor to enhance the camera system. A Scope of Work was completed for the camera upgrade. A GAM will be completed.