Diversion Program

Imperial County Behavioral Health Services (ICBHS) recently established a memorandum of understanding with the Imperial County Office of the Public Defender to initiate and establish the Mental Health Diversion (MHD) Program within Imperial County. The MHD program serves as an opportunity for defendants charged with a crime to go through Mental Health Treatment. The MHD program lasts about a year to a year and a half, depending on the court rulings.  During the course of treatment, the defendant’s proceedings are frozen until the defendant completes the Mental Health program. ICBHS is mandated to give the court and the district attorney periodic reports on the clients’ progress or lack of progress. Based on these reports, the court determines if the proceedings are unfrozen and the charges continue, or if all records of the arrest that led to the charges are sealed and destroyed. Under the Diversion Program, individuals are linked with the corresponding outpatient clinics to initiate mental treatment that may include Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician Services, Therapy Services, and/or Medication support.

801 Broadway
El Centro, CA 92243
(442) 265-7200