Guidance for Oklahoma counties applying for County Community Safety Investment Fund awards

Through Oklahoma’s County Community Safety Investment Fund, counties can fund programs and strategies that divert people away from the criminal justice system, reduce recidivism, and address mental health and substance use challenges that are often intertwined with these issues.

In 2016, Oklahoma voters passed State Questions 780, reclassifying felony drug possession charges to misdemeanors in an effort to reduce the prison population and encourage a shift from harsh punishment to rehabilitation for low-level crimes.

Voters also passed its companion State Question 781, which directed the state to pass cost savings from decreased incarcerations to counties for mental health treatment and criminal justice diversion programs by establishing the County Community Safety Investment Fund.

Related: Improving guidelines for the County Community Safety Investment Fund through SB 251‍

This resource, informed by Healthy Minds’ subject matter experts and national best practices, aims to help counties identify and plan for evidence-based strategies to maximize the impact of these funding opportunities on their communities.