PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: November 17, 2025
Subject: ACCEPT Report on Familiar Faces Project
Submitted by: Lavonna Martin, Deputy Director of Health Services
Department: Contra Costa Health Services
Presenter: Daniel Brown and Juliette Kelley
Referral History:
The Familiar Faces Project aims to reduce incarceration and hospitalization rates for those with complex behavioral health needs. This initiative seeks to address the underlying issues that contribute to frequent interactions with the justice and health systems by integrating efforts across multiple agencies to develop more effective interventions and support strategies.
In April 2024, Contra Costa Health developed an analysis plan, in partnership with Probation and Employment and Human Services Department, to examine the relationships between justice, health, and housing factors. This partnership underscored the importance of a collaborative approach in addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by individuals with complex needs. The analysis included reviewing historical data, identifying patterns, and exploring how various factors interplay to influence outcomes.
On May 19, 2025, Contra Costa Health staff presented an update to the Committee that identified the key characteristics of familiar faces in Contra Costa. A clustering analysis recognized one group with higher rates of recidivism, homelessness, emergency department and psychiatric emergency visit rates.
The Committee directed Contra Costa Health staff to return to the Committee in the fall with an updated Familiar Faces report that further examines cost impacts and service system impacts for justice-involved familiar faces to be further considered before forwarding it to the full Board.
Referral Update:
Please see the attached presentation.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
ACCEPT the report on additional data, analysis, and key findings on the Familiar Faces project as presented by Contra Costa Health Services.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
There is no fiscal impact - this report is informational.