(Woodland, CA) – June 14, 2024 – On Wednesday, June 12th, the Mental Health Diversion Court celebrated the graduation of several participants including Christopher Duzenski , Zachary Tuscher. This brings the total to 23 graduates since the beginning of the program. Mental Health Diversion Court is one of Yolo County’s specialty courts that launched in October, 2021. The goal of the court is to enhance public safety and reduce recidivism of those who live with mental illness and/or a substance use disorder, and those behavioral health issues were a significant factor in the commission of their criminal offense. The program accomplishes this goal by supporting their participation in community treatment. This is done with the collaboration of the District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, the Probation Department, the Sheriff’s Department, the Court, and CommuniCare+OLE Health Centers all working together to support the clients.
Program requirements include maintaining sobriety, being medication compliant if appropriate, attending all required appointments and court hearings and writing reflective essays for each of the four phases to be completed.
Julie Santiago, Behavior Health Manager at Communicare+OLE told the graduates that “It has a been an honor to help you through this program.” Many other speakers praised them for their hard work, dedication to change, and sticking with the program. Judge Janet Gaard presided over the graduations and presented the men their certificates of completion.
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