Spokane County Diversion Program

The Diversion Program is a joint partnership of staff from three Spokane County departments, which include:

  • Community Services, Housing, and Community Development;
  • Detention Services; and 
  • Pretrial Services

The Diversion Program aims to avoid unnecessary competency evaluations, incarcerations, and reduce recidivism by assisting participants in gaining access to treatment. Treatment resources include: inpatient substance use disorder treatment, inpatient co-occurring treatment, outpatient substance use disorder treatment, outpatient mental health treatment, and outpatient co-occurring treatment.

The Diversion Program provides care coordination services to assist participants in getting connected with various community resources, including housing, to ensure they are successful in the program and after completion of the program. Individuals may be provided subsidies to help overcome barriers to help with shelter, housing, identification, transportation, cellular minutes, and other areas of need included within an individual's care plan.

While in the program, participants will:

  • Engage in treatment
  • Agree to not use any substances that have not been prescribed to them
  • Attend all court dates
  • Check in with the Pretrial Services Mental Health Professional or Diversion Care Coordinator on a weekly basis
  • Not commit any new crimes

If all these requirements are met and the diversion team determines the program has been successfully completed, the case may be dismissed with prejudice.

Who is eligible?

  • Individuals with an acute or chronic mental health diagnosis or co-occurring disorders that can be managed by community-based services and resources
  • Persons who have committed non-violent misdemeanors or low-level felonies. *Felonies will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • Must voluntarily agree to participate in the program
  • Individuals who are eligible for Medicaid. (*This criterion may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis,)

Crimes not eligible for the 5177 Diversion Program:

  • 1st or 2nd degree assault
  • 1st or 2nd degree assault of a child
  • 1st degree burglary
  • 1st degree extortion
  • 1st or 2nd degree kidnapping
  • Leading organized crime
  • Manslaughter/murder
  • 1st or 2nd degree robbery
  • DUI crimes

For more information about the Diversion Program, please contact the Diversion Case Manager at (509) 477-4556.