Incompetent to Stand Trial Diversion and Community Based Restoration Infrastructure Project
Community-Based Residential Treatment Homes for Diversion and Competency Restoration
Background
California’s Department of State Hospitals’ Incompetent to Stand Trial Diversion and Community Based Restoration Infrastructure Project provides $468.8 million in one-time grant funding to California counties to build, acquire, or develop residential housing settings for people who have been deemed incompetent to stand trial (IST). The focus of this project is to provide intensive treatment and wraparound services in a community-based, home-like setting in support of the Department’s Felony Mental Health Diversion Program and Community Based Restoration Program.
The State of California has seen significant growth in the number of people who are found IST for various charges and committed to the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) for competency restoration services. Competency restoration is the process of providing therapy, education, medication, and other services to help a person regain their competency to the point they are able to understand and participate in their case within the justice system.
The number of people in need of these services currently exceeds the state’s capacity to serve them, resulting in people waiting for the care they need. The DSH IST Infrastructure Project creates more access to mental health services through diversion and community-based treatment and is one of several DSH projects to serve this population.
Applications for grant funding are accepted on a rolling basis through June 30, 2024.