BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 The Kern County Board of Supervisors is set to accept an $8 million state grant to provide substance use and mental health treatment for those charged with a drug-related felony under Proposition 36, according to the meeting agenda for Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services is asking the Board to approve accepting the grant from the California Board of State and Community Corrections\u2019 Proposition 47 Cohort 5 grant program, the agenda said.<\/p>\n
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the latest round of funding \u2014 $127 million in total and $8 million going to Kern County \u2014 back in September. Kern BHRS was one of 23 agencies in California receiving the grant.<\/p>\n
Prop 36 Drug Treatment Program produces 1st graduate, felony drug possession case dismissed: DA <\/a><\/p>\n The term for the grant runs from Oct. 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029.<\/p>\n According to the agenda, $2,954,000 will be appropriated for BHRS for fiscal year 2025-2026. That amount will be allocated to different categories such as external service agreements, salaries, training and development, contracts and more.<\/p>\n BHRS said it will use Medi-Cal reimbursement money \u2014 about $6,234,721 \u2014 to support the funding from this grant.<\/p>\n While the county isn\u2019t required to match the funding, the state prioritizes applicants who show how they plan to use other federal, state or local funds or other investments to make the Proposition 47 funding successful, county officials said.<\/p>\n Kern County also has to use at least 50% of the grant funds to partner with community-based groups without ties to government to display \u201cshared partnership rooted in community engagement and economic equity,\u201d the agenda said.<\/p>\n Sixty-five percent of state savings from the implementation of Proposition 47 in November of 2014 is set aside for the BSCC to help public agencies provide treatment for mental health or substance use disorder, as well as diversion programs in the criminal justice system, according to county officials.<\/p>\n In November 2024, California voters passed Proposition 36<\/a>, which makes it possible for individuals to get a felony drug charge if they have two or more prior convictions related to drugs.<\/p>\n Under Proposition 36, those who are convicted of non-violent drug-related felonies can agree to participate in court-approved rehabilitation to avoid incarceration.<\/p>\n