U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, and John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, announced a youth support program in Contra Costa County will be receiving $1 million in funding which they helped secure in January.
The Contra Costa County Transitional Aged Youth Diversion Program helps shift authorities’ focus away from punitive measures and seeks to focus on healing, restoration, and accountability as well as a means to address repeat-offender rates among the youth.
“Reducing crime in our communities requires an all-of-the-above approach, and investing in programs like the Transition Aged Youth Diversion Program will help move away from punitive measures and focus on prevention and accountability,” Thompson said in a statement on Aug. 11.
“It is imperative that our communities receive the necessary resources to uphold their safety and security through programs like the Contra Costa County’s Transition Aged Youth Diversion Program,” Garamendi said.
Both representatives sought the financing as a “Community Project Funding” request, according to Thompson’s office. The money comes from the final 2023 appropriations government funding bill, it added.