Harris County commissioners have issued a directive to criminal justice leaders to strengthen and expand programs that divert individuals with mental health issues away from jail and into specialized treatment centers. This move aims to reduce the local jail population and address the underlying causes of recidivism for non-violent offenders by providing clinical support instead of incarceration.

Penobscot County commissioners have approved a $1,200 annual contract for an online diversion program called Advent Diversion, aimed at reducing the population in its perennially overcrowded jail. By offering educational classes for minor offenses such as impaired driving or bullying, the county hope to steer low-level defendants away from short-term incarceration and ease the financial burden of boarding inmates at other facilities.

Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, alongside local officials, has announced the launch of the ARRIVE Together program in Wayne to change how law enforcement handles mental health emergencies. The initiative pairs Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)-trained police officers with mental health screeners from St. Joseph’s Health to respond to 9-1-1 calls involving behavioral crises.

By deploying these specialized teams, the program seeks to de-escalate potentially volatile situations and provide immediate clinical support directly at the scene. Data from other New Jersey pilot sites has shown that this co-responder model significantly reduces the use of force and arrests while increasing successful referrals to social services. As part of the rollout, community leaders held an open forum in late January 2026 to introduce the program’s dual focus on "co-response" and "follow-up" care to Wayne residents.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a new behavioral health program titled STREETS to provide specialized assistance to homeless individuals struggling with substance use. This initiative focuses on delivering psychiatric care, medical stabilization, and evidence-based crisis intervention directly to those in need. The program is a key component of a broader executive order issued by the administration to aggressively address addiction and substance use across the country. By targeting recovery and engagement, the STREETS program aims to bridge the gap between emergency medical needs and long-term stabilization for vulnerable populations. This federal push follows recent data showing a decline in overdose deaths, signaling a continued effort to maintain that downward trend through localized support.