WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A local program designed to keep offenders out of the penal system has received the full funding needed to keep it going.

LEAD, meaning Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, works to keep frequent offenders with mental or substance issues out of the penal system.

That’s according to Whatcom County Prosecutor Eric Richey, who was concerned the program would go away when Washington passed its biennium budget.

“It’s about community safety. We were really concerned that people were being incarcerated that didn’t need to be,” Richey said. “If they could have services, if they could have the support they needed, then we believe they would be less likely to need incarceration to behave well.”

Whatcom County Health and Community Services now say that LEAD will be fully funded through two state revenue streams: Washington Healthcare Authority and North Sound Behavioral Health.

LEAD is a part of the Response Systems Division of the county’s Health and Community Services that handles those who may not receive adequate care for their mental health.

RSD manager Malora Christensen says that the LEAD program has seen great success in Whatcom County.

“We create cohorts within years and we look at 12 months prior to being in the program and then 12 months after exiting the program,” Christensen said. “In 2023, that cohort was 78 individuals. Those 78 individuals had an 83% reduction in jail bookings.”

The program is modeled after others that operate around the country but is still unique to our region.