Thurston County LEAD program has helped hundreds since 2021 despite limited arrests

A Thurston County program that diverts non-violent, low-level offenders to support services helped more than 200 people last year despite recent changes in state law.

The county’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program connects those in need with peer case managers who help them overcome challenges and avoid arrest or jail time.

Officials who administer the program updated the Board of County Commissioners on its progress last week. The program served 222 individuals in 2022 and 109 in 2023 through March 31, according to data shared during the meeting.

LEAD Program Manager Jason Bean-Mortinson shared quotes from successful participants, including one who said their family was happy to see them “hopeful” for the first time in a long time. He attributed this outcome to how case managers approach participants.

“A lot of people that we serve have been failed by multiple systems,” Bean-Mortinson said. “It takes real work and dedication on the part of the case managers to build someone to a point where they can even begin to have hope.”

Other participants have said the program literally saved their lives, Bean-Mortinson said. For example, he said some have been saved from drug overdoses by Narcan, and others have been connected to needed medical care.

“We’ve had unhoused people fall and break their hips and been supported in accessing the hospital, finding respite care and then transition to housing,” Bean-Mortinson said.

Bean-Mortinson said case managers build connections with participants over months. He said they often help participants find housing, manage medication, enter substance use treatment, get an education, apply for jobs and reconcile with their family members.

“Most of our people tend to stabilize and transition out of services around six months, but we’ve had people that have been in the program pretty much since the beginning,” Bean-Mortinson said.

A pilot phase for the county’s LEAD program began in July 2021. Last year, the board approved a $1.1 million contract with the Washington State Health Care Authority that continues the program through June 30. At the time, the county shared that more than 100 individuals had been referred to the program.

The Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization manages the program and Olympic Health and Recovery Services provides case management services.

The program partners with local law enforcement and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which issue arrest diversion referrals. A Community Advisory Board, Steering Committee and Operations work group oversee the program.

But people may be re-referred to the program from community partners and outreach services. This referral method has outpaced arrest diversion referrals, Bean-Mortinson said.

The data show the program received 247 referrals from a variety of sources in 2022. Just eight came from law enforcement assisted diversion and 27 came from the criminal legal system.

From Jan. 1 to March 31, the data indicates the program received 61 referrals. Only one came from law enforcement assisted diversion and three came from the criminal legal system.

Bean-Mortinson attributed this trend to police reform and accountability laws from the past few years as well as the 2021 Washington State v. Blake decision. That ruling struck down the state’s felony drug possession law.

Prosecuting Attorney Jon Tunheim said law enforcement has been hesitant to pursue drug enforcement and non-violent, minor offenses. He said the pandemic also limited jail bookings.

“An officer on the street is not going to do an arrest diversion when there’s no arrest because they can’t book,” Tunheim said. “So, what I think you had was a number of different things that were happening all at the same time.”

Tunheim said these trends show the program has effectively transitioned its focus from an arrest diversion to arrest prevention. Though he still supports arrest diversions, he characterized this outcome as a positive one.

“I think that’s a really important point, because to me that’s even better,” Tunheim said. “… As far as I’m concerned, arrest prevention, that’s goal achievement for me right there.”

However, he said more arrest diversions are likely on the way. Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5536 into law on May 16. This bill makes “knowing” possession of counterfeit or controlled substances a gross misdemeanor.

“I hope and believe that LEAD will be a really key component in responding to that effectively and providing resources for people,” Bean-Mortinson said.