On Friday, March 31, core Atlanta stakeholders — including Fulton County, the City of Atlanta, Georgia Justice Project (GJP), Grady Health System, the Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative (PAD), and Bloomberg Associates — broke ground on the future site of the Center for Diversion and Services. The groundbreaking marks the beginning of Diversion Center construction, which will take place over the next year. It also represents continued collaboration among partners to expand existing pre-arrest diversion services as a core strategy in reducing the number of people in our community in need of behavioral health services, housing or other basic resources, thereby increasing overall community safety and wellness. The Diversion Center will be operated by Grady Health System and is expected to open in 2024.

View this video for more information.

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“There are challenges our communities face — like substance abuse, mental health issues, housing and economic challenges and more — that you cannot arrest your way out of. Rather than perpetuate an endless cycle of incarceration for quality of life hardships, the Center for Diversion and Services will serve as a resource to connect people to the support and services they need to address the long-neglected underlying issues that have caused many of their encounters with law enforcement,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

View the full groundbreaking press release here.

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As noted below, the Diversion Center will offer 24/7pre-arrest law enforcement drop-off for individuals experiencing concerns related to homelessness, mental health, substance use, and/or poverty and will be located within the 254 Peachtree St., SW building.  Aiming to reduce arrest and jail and empower individuals with tools and resources to move forward positively, Diversion Center guests will be welcomed by a peer-led team and receive a holistic, person-centered set of services.  Some of those services will include mental and physical health assessments, basic medical care (with transportation to Grady’s main campus for acute needs),sobering and resting spaces, and access to food, clothing, bathrooms, showers, and laundry services.  Guests will also work with PAD peer navigators to create a long-term care plan outlining access to a wider range of on- and off-site services, some of which will include legal navigation (including outstanding warrant resolution), housing support, substance use and/or residential treatment, job-related resources, and more.

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View all renderings, including the Diversion Center floor plan, here.

View the City of Atlanta Instagram post here.

Thank you to all partners for their continued support!

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