Today, the City of Bakersfield announced they have been awarded a $1.9 million state grant to support and address homelessness through mental health services, substance-use disorder treatment and diversion programs.
With the grant, Bakersfield’s Community Vitality will manage intensive cases for treatment and supportive services for Bakersfield’s most vulnerable homeless. According to the news release, the grant funding will address the parole-to-homelessness pipeline, strengthen support services and increase transitions to permanent supportive housing.
“This funding will help us fill two gaps in our current system,” said Bakersfield Police Department’s Lt. Nicole Anderberg in the news release. “It will provide real, targeted case management services needed to help our chronically homeless population, including those with substance use and/or behavioral health issues.”
This fund will also provide re-entry services for parolees in Kern County, according to Anderberg.
“The state of California must continue to invest in common-sense public safety solutions that stop cycles of crime, without going back to the failed and unsafe days of mass incarceration,” said Govner Gavin Newsom at the California Board of State and Community Corrections ’s award announcement.
Bakersfield is one of 27 government and community-based organizations awarded funding from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).