Berkeley motel will house new post-arrest diversion program
The city hopes the new diversion and reentry program will reduce recidivism. Participants must be nonviolent and need no medical attention.
Berkeley will hold a community meeting this week about a new program, housed at a Berkeley motel, for people coming out of custody.
Last fall, the city announced that the program, Berkeley CareBridge, was coming. According to recent program materials, doors will open in February.
The new post-arrest and reentry program will be housed at the Signature Inn (formerly Quality Inn), at 1761 University Ave. between Grant Street and McGee Avenue.
On Thursday night, Councilwoman Rashi Kesarwani's office will hold a meeting on Zoom, from 6-7 p.m., to share details about the program and field community questions.
The new program will be run by Options Recovery Services, which has already begun outreach in the neighborhood, Kesarwani's office said.
Berkeley CareBridge is located in her West Berkeley council district but on the border with the downtown district represented by Igor Tregub.
Emilie Raguso
What is Berkeley CareBridge?
According to the program website, "Berkeley CareBridge is a six-month post-arrest diversion and reentry support program that helps individuals stabilize after release from custody and reduce the likelihood of re-arrest."
In addition to six months of housing, the program offers daily meals and medical, mental health and substance use services along with case management and links to housing and employment resources, among other services.
The program is "free, voluntary, and participant-centered."
It is expected to serve 60-80 people annually, the city said last year.
Who is Berkeley CareBridge for?
Berkeley CareBridge was designed for "adults in Berkeley who have had contact with the justice system within the past three years and would benefit from behavioral health or substance use support."
The program is for adults (18+) who have been arrested for a misdemeanor and are "exhibiting mental health or substance use behaviors."
Individuals must be nonviolent and need no medical attention, according to program materials.
People with county or felony warrants are not eligible.
Other criteria for exclusion include offenses that would require sex offender registration, domestic violence and stalking offenses, and DUI arrests.
Berkeley CareBridge participants do not need to be unhoused — but the program does provide housing for six months.
See the meeting announcement and program website for details. There's also a program brochure and a list of frequently asked questions. The Scanner will continue to learn more.
