Regional Lived Experience Project

In 2020, The Council on Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health (CCJBH) received funding from the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to increase advocacy capacity of those with lived experience, increase education and training opportunities, increase organizational and community awareness, and improve collaborative efforts and partners at a regional/ local level.

Through a competitive process, CCJBH awarded three-year contracts to support local community-based organizations, each of which are implementing unique projects that include individuals with lived experience to help reduce justice involvement of individuals with behavioral health needs. The contractors include Cal Voices (ACCESS Program), the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, the Transitions Clinic Network, and the LA Regional Reentry Partners. These contractors engaged in a variety of projects focused on increasing the advocacy capacity of those with lived experience, education and training opportunities, organizational and community awareness, as well as improving collaborative efforts with partners. In the next year they expanded efforts to promote the expertise of individuals with lived experience to inform local policy and educate decision-makers.

On June 30,2023, CCJBH closed the LEP project contracts with Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), Cal Voices, Los Angeles Regional Reentry Partnership (LARRP) and Transitions Clinic Network (TCN). As part of the culmination process, during the LEP Showcase, contractors had the opportunity to present to CCJBH Councilmembers and stakeholders on their contract progress, highlight any successes, challenges, and lessons learned during the implementation of Lived Experience Contracts.

CCJBH will be developing a summary report sharing lessons learned from this project with CCJBH Councilmembers and stakeholders, which will inform future CCJBH stakeholder efforts. Additional information about the LEP contractors and their areas of focus is located on the CCJBH website.

Products from these projects are posted to our publications page