KCBX s Rachel Showalter reports.
The U.S. Department of Justice recognizes mental illness as a major issue among inmates. In 2015, the Stepping Up Initiative was formed to help reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in jail, instead connecting them with resources and treatment.
Santa Barbara County joined the Stepping Up Initiative in 2016 and local leaders meet every two months to report on relevant projects and collaborate about how to move forward.
Kevin Huddle is a Commander with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and the Department Coordinator for the Stepping Up Initiative.
He said over the past several years, the Sheriff’s Office has worked to identify key moments when law enforcement can intercept someone experiencing a mental health crisis, divert them away from the criminal justice system and connect them with the necessary resources.