Update on Alameda Co’s Care First, Jails Last (CFJL) Initiative

1. Notes from the Mental Health Advisory Board CFJL Ad Hoc Committee

by Myrna Schwartz

Some history:  In August 2024, the CFJL Task Force delivered its final report to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors (BOS), outlining policy and program recommendations affecting county agencies, Courts, and law enforcement.  BOS approved the report’s 58 recommendations and tasked the county’s Mental Health Advisory Board (MHAB) with overseeing their implementation.  

In response, the MHAB formed an Ad Hoc Committee, composed of MHAB members and representatives of community and advocacy groups (including ICJJ).  Committee members meet with designated agency staff to identify progress and barriers to implementation. 

In May, at a joint meeting of BOS’s Health and Public Protection Committees, the MHAB Ad Hoc updated Supervisors Marquez, Tam, and Miley on a subset of recommendations, including specific asks for BOS intervention to address identified implementation obstacles.  To our disappointment, the Supervisors delayed immediate action, opting for further input from invited agency staff at an October Joint Committee hearing. 

2. Notes from the Care First Community Coalition (CFCC)

by Willem Vandecamp

CFCC is the community arm of the Care First movement, committed to ending the County’s reliance on incarcerating people with mental illness and building out community-based mental health care. We work inside and outside official channels to advance policy and funding goals important to our members.  

For the MHAB Committee’s BOS presentation in May (see above), CFCC mobilized public support behind calls for BOS action, particularly in the areas of housing, diversion, and gathering data on the effects and results of the implementation of the CFJL recommendations.  

In July, CFCC celebrated a big win in the Measure W debate, thanks to the coordinated response of ICJJ and other member groups  (see accompanying Newsletter article below)

Priority-setting for the Fall is now underway.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:  Stay tuned for coming updates and action alerts! To join ICJJ’s mailing list, send your name and email to rspeiglman@sbcglobal.net. CFCC will continue to advocate with the Board of Supervisors and various county agencies to put the Measure W funds to work for reducing homelessness and invest in necessary housing and supports.