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. In the first year, 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. The contractors will end their contracts in Summer 2023, with deliverables ongoing through August 30, 2023. Contractor activities include facilitation of training, convening stakeholder meetings and events, developing educational materials, and advocating for policies that support individuals with lived experience. The contractors assisted CCJBH with collecting stakeholder feedback for the Senate Bill 369 Veto Message Project. CCJBH highlighted the Lived Experience Projects at the December 2021 Full Council meeting and will feature a Contract Close Out presentation in 2023.

Products from these projects are posted to our publications page