Justice Care and Opportunities Department

Care First Community
Investment (CFCI)

Justice Care and Opportunities Department

CFCI

From Measure J to Care First and Community Investment: A Continuing Commitment

The Board of Supervisors has committed to advancing Care First, Jails Last and Care First Community Investment (CFCI) is a significant investment to achieve that vision. The timeline below details the steps involved in establishing this ongoing commitment in support of this vision — which the Board has maintained despite legal challenges to the underlying ballot measure (Measure J).

The linked documentation includes a description of the methodology involved in annually calculating 10% of the County’s locally generated unrestricted revenues to address the disproportionate impact of racial injustice through direct community investment and alternatives to incarceration. 

Fact Sheet
Jul 2020
July 21, 2020: BOS Votes to Place Amendment on Ballot

The Board of Supervisors, on a motion by Supervisors Sheila Kuehl and Hilda Solis, voted 4-1 to put an amendment to the County charter on the November ballot to allocate at least 10% of the County’s locally generated unrestricted revenues in the general fund to address the disproportionate impact of racial injustice through community investment and alternatives to incarceration. Click the header above to read the Board motion.

Jul 2020
July 21, 2020: Back-of-the-Envelope Estimate of 10% Set-Aside

During the Board discussion, then-Chief Executive Officer Sachi Hamai said the amount of the set-aside would be subject to complex analysis, but based on a quick back-of-the-envelope calculation, she estimated that locally generated unrestricted revenues for fiscal year 2020-21 would total approximately $3.6 billion so that roughly $360 million would need to be reallocated to meet the 10% set-aside, subject to future analysis. Click the header above to view the transcript of the July 21, 2020 meeting.

Nov 2020
November 3, 2020: Measure J/Charter Amendment Passes

Voters by a 57%-43% margin approved Measure J in accordance with the proposed charter amendment to establish ongoing funding to make Care First, Jails Last programs a reality. For a Measure J overview, click the header above.

Nov 2020
November 10, 2020: Re-Imagine LA Advisory Committee Established

The Board established the 17-member Measure J Re-imagine LA Advisory Committee, charged with developing spending proposals for the Measure J investments. The Board directed the Committee to submit its proposals to the CEO, who would work with the ATI and ARDI offices before submitting funding recommendations to the Board as part of the County’s annual budget process. Click the header above to view the Board motion.

Jan 2021
January—May 2021: Budget Team Analyzes Allocation Methodology

County budget analysts worked with departments to determine a methodology for calculating restricted and unrestricted locally generated revenues. Based on 2020 revenues, a baseline estimate of $300 million was established for the full 2024 set-aside, subject to calculations based on the actual 2023-24 budget. (See Timeline on 3/16/21 and 4/1/21 for a CEO Memo and presentation.)

Mar 2021
March 16, 2021: CEO Recommends $100 Million First Year “Down Payment”

The CEO issued a memo to the Board with a copy to the Measure J Advisory Committee chair and recommended $100 million as the first year “down payment” for the Measure J set-aside, based on the $300 million estimate. The memo calls out the $300 million as subject to additional due diligence. To read the CEO memo, click the header above.

Apr 2021
April 1, 2021: Presentation To Committee on Calculating Set-Aside

The Chief Executive Office presented to the Advisory Committee on the methodology for the Measure J set-aside and calculation of restricted versus unrestricted locally generated revenues. To view the presentation, click the header above.

Apr 2021
April 20, 2021: Board Approves $100 Million Down Payment

The Board approved a $100 million “down payment” as part of the 2021-22 Recommended Budget presented by the CEO. Click the header above to read the Board letter.

May 2021
May 17, 2021: CEO Reports to BOS on Methodology

The CEO reported to the Board on the methodology for calculating locally generated unrestricted revenues and reiterated that the initial set-aside amount is “both an estimate and a projection.” Click the header above to read the CEO memo.

May 2021
May 18, 2021: CEO Meets with Advisory Committee

The CEO and budget team met with members of the Advisory Committee in a small group discussion to provide some background on the CEO’s role and answer questions about the budgeting process. On June 29, 2021, the CEO provided written responses to questions raised in the May meeting about the County budgeting practices, budgeting terminology, and the methodology by which the projected estimated set-aside amount was calculated. To read the response from CEO, click the header above.

Jun 2021
June 17, 2021: Judge Rules Measure J “Constitutionally Invalid”

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mary Strobel tentatively ruled Measure J “constitutionally invalid” because it interferes with the Board of Supervisors’ authority, as granted by state law, over the budget. Click the header above to read the tentative ruling issued June 17, 2021.

Jul 2021
July 14, 2021: Judge Confirms Ruling

Judge Strobel filed a Final Statement of Decision confirming her tentative ruling. Click the header above to read the Final Statement Decision.

Aug 2021
August 10, 2021: Board Establishes Care First Community Investment Advisory Committee

The Board voted to transform the Measure J Re-imagine LA Advisory Committee into the Care First and Community Investment Advisory Committee, a 24-member body comprised of 23 voting members and one non-voting member. Click the header above to read the Board letter.

Aug 2021
August 10, 2021: Board Sets CFCI Policy

A Board policy on CFCI investments was established. Click the header above to read the Board letter and related County code.

Sep 2021
September 22, 2021: CFCI Holds First Meeting

The newly established CFCI Advisory Committee held its first meeting. Click the header above to view the meeting minutes.

Apr 2022
April 19, 2022: Board Approves $100 Million Year Two Installment

As part of the Recommended Budget, the Board approved a second-year installment of $100 million in direct community investments and alternatives to incarceration, bringing year two CFCI spending to $200 million total—a reflection of the initial estimate, which is expected to change in future years. The Recommended Budget also included additional commitments, outside of the CFCI spending plan, to support these priorities, including funding to establish two new departments committed to Youth Development and to Justice, Care, and Opportunities, as well as support for existing departments committed to racial justice, such as the offices of the Public Defender and Alternate Public Defender. Click the header above to read the Board letter.

Jul 2022
July 1, 2022: Department of Youth Development Launched

The Department of Youth Development was launched to coordinate and build capacity for a wide range of youth development services and opportunities as part of care-first efforts to equitably reduce youth justice system involvement, in line with CFCI principles.

Nov 2022
November 1, 2022: Justice, Care and Opportunities Department Launched

The Justice, Care, and Opportunities Department (JCOD) was launched to unify the County’s efforts to serve vulnerable justice-impacted people and communities and drive forward the Board’s Care First, Jails Last vision. JCOD provides dedicated staff and resources for the CFCI Advisory Committee to support budgeting, contracting, community engagement, program evaluations and other services consistent with the Board’s Care First Community Investment objectives.

Community Listening Sessions for CFCI Year 3 Spending Plan

Would you like to learn more about the Care First Community Engagement (CFCI) process or provide input on what your community needs? These sessions are designed to inform the community and engage a broad coalition of stakeholders to gather community input and help develop the CFCI Year 3 Spending Plan. Your participation in promoting CFCI is important to ensure we reach as many residents as possible in LA County.

Listening Sessions will be held in February 2023 in multiple locations throughout LA County and one session will be held virtually over Zoom. The Community Survey will be available to complete online February through March.

Click here for toolkits that provide sample messaging and images.

Community Listening Sessions

Virtual on Zoom

Feb 8, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.

Register HERE!

Lynwood

Feb. 15, 2023, at 5:30 p.m.

Register HERE!

Compton

Feb. 16, 2023, at 5:30 p.m.

Register HERE!

Pomona

Feb. 18, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.

Register HERE!

Long Beach

Feb. 21, 2023, at 5:30 p.m.

Register HERE!

Year 2 Care First Community Investment (CFCI)
Spending Plan Approved by Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors approved a $100 million Care First Community Investment (CFCI) Spending Plan—with Year 2 allocations to further advance Los Angeles County’s Care First, Jails Last vision with direct community investments and funding for alternatives to incarceration.

This second annual investment of $100 million advances the County’s commitment to build up to the full CFCI set aside by 2024 and it adds to the first year’s CFCI investment of $187.7 million, which includes American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. The total CFCI investment is now $287.7 million.

The approved spending plan funds all 22 programs recommended by the Care First Community Investment Advisory Committee. The 23-member committee held marathon public meetings and engaged the community via virtual and in-person listening sessions, a community survey and the engagement of trusted community-based organizations.

The plan was developed with an equity lens, with a primary focus on chronically under-resourced communities to address negative outcomes caused by racially-driven criminal justice inequities and long-term community economic disinvestment.

Highlights of the funding plan include:

  • More than $45 million will be dedicated to housing, with more than $42 million dedicated to permanent housing for the County’s most vulnerable populations.
  • More than $40 million will be administered by a third-party administrator with the majority of funds passing through to community-based organizations. County departments will be encouraged to distribute most of their funding directly to community-based providers as well.
  • Nearly $20 million will be dedicated to programs prioritizing youth development.
  • More than $14.5 million will fund violence prevention.
  • More than $11 million will fund programs for non-carceral diversion or to support residents returning to the community after incarceration.
  • More than $8 million will fund education or job training.

A summary of the Care First Community Investment spending plan is here

Details of programs funded are here

The CFCI Advisory Committee’s report and recommendations are here

The board letter and relevant documents are here.

Year 2 Care First Community Investment (CFCI) Spending Plan Approved by Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors approved a $100 million Care First Community Investment (CFCI) Spending Plan—with Year 2 allocations to further advance Los Angeles County’s Care First, Jails Last vision with direct community investments and funding for alternatives to incarceration.

This second annual investment of $100 million advances the County’s commitment to build up to the full CFCI set aside by 2024 and it adds to the first year’s CFCI investment of $187.7 million, which includes American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. The total CFCI investment is now $287.7 million.

The approved spending plan funds all 22 programs recommended by the Care First Community Investment Advisory Committee. The 23-member committee held marathon public meetings and engaged the community via virtual and in-person listening sessions, a community survey and the engagement of trusted community-based organizations.

The plan was developed with an equity lens, with a primary focus on chronically under-resourced communities to address negative outcomes caused by racially-driven criminal justice inequities and long-term community economic disinvestment.

Highlights of the funding plan include:

  • More than $45 million will be dedicated to housing, with more than $42 million dedicated to permanent housing for the County’s most vulnerable populations.
  • More than $40 million will be administered by a third-party administrator with the majority of funds passing through to community-based organizations. County departments will be encouraged to distribute most of their funding directly to community-based providers as well.
  • Nearly $20 million will be dedicated to programs prioritizing youth development.
  • More than $14.5 million will fund violence prevention.
  • More than $11 million will fund programs for non-carceral diversion or to support residents returning to the community after incarceration.
  • More than $8 million will fund education or job training.

    A summary of the Care First Community Investment spending plan is here

    Details of programs funded are here

    The CFCI Advisory Committee’s report and recommendations are here

    The board letter and relevant documents are here.

    For more information about Care First Community Investment,
    visit the Alternatives to Incarceration website.

    Transformative Year 1
    $187.7 Million “Care First Community Investment” Spending Plan Invests in Equity and Community

    The Board of Supervisors approved an unprecedented $187.7 million spending package to advance its care first, jails last vision with a series of direct community investments and funding for alternatives to incarceration—accelerating the transformative process of creating a more just and equitable Los Angeles County for all residents.

    The spending plan fully embraces the spirit of the voter-approved Measure J and also takes the innovative step of leveraging one-time funding from the American Rescue Plan to ensure a strong foundation as programs ramp up and full funding levels are reached by 2024.

    The plan includes a $100 million year one down payment for Board-approved programs spelled out in Measure J and now known as “Care First Community Investment” programs, and also leverages $87.7 million from the American Rescue Fund for a wide range of supportive, complementary programs. These include interim and permanent supportive housing, grants to community-based organizations, and employment opportunities for adults and youth.

    The approved spending plan has broad crossover with the Measure J Re-imagine LA Advisory Committee’s recommendations and meets or exceeds 91 percent of the committee’s recommendations and funds 29 new or expanded programs (click here to view the spending plan).

    The plan was developed with an equity lens, with a primary focus on chronically under-resourced communities to address negative outcomes caused by racially-driven criminal justice inequities and long-term community economic disinvestment.

    Highlights of the funding plan include:

    • $42 million to support the closure of Men’s Central Jail
    • $8 million for community-based pretrial services in highly impacted communities, replacing law-enforcement supervision and pretrial incarceration for eligible individuals
    • $20.9 million to support youth at risk of involvement with the justice system or already involved in the justice system
    CFCI
    • $16 million for housing and related services to meet a variety of needs including for people experiencing homelessness with complex health needs; people with substance use disorder and at-risk and system-impacted youth and transition-age youth
    • $15 million to support residents returning to the community after incarceration
    • $9 million in supports for people experiencing substance use disorder and to prevent drug-related harm and death

    A summary of the Care First Community Investment spending plan is here.
    Details of programs funded are here.

    In a separate action, the Board of Supervisors modified the Measure J Advisory Committee to the Los Angeles County Care First & Community Investment Advisory Committee (CFCI Advisory Committee), a 24-member board made up of a variety of community representatives, people with lived experiences, County department leaders and labor representatives. The new iteration of the advisory committee will continue to advise on related spending and will support the County’s creation of an online dashboard to monitor Care First Community Investment data.

    CFCI

    Transformative Year 1
    $187.7 Million “Care First Community Investment” Spending Plan Invests in Equity and Community

    The Board of Supervisors approved an unprecedented $187.7 million spending package to advance its care first, jails last vision with a series of direct community investments and funding for alternatives to incarceration—accelerating the transformative process of creating a more just and equitable Los Angeles County for all residents.

    he spending plan fully embraces the spirit of the voter-approved Measure J and also takes the innovative step of leveraging one-time funding from the American Rescue Plan to ensure a strong foundation as programs ramp up and full funding levels are reached by 2024.

    The plan includes a $100 million year one down payment for Board-approved programs spelled out in Measure J and now known as “Care First Community Investment” programs, and also leverages $87.7 million from the American Rescue Fund for a wide range of supportive, complementary programs. These include interim and permanent supportive housing, grants to community-based organizations, and employment opportunities for adults and youth.

    The approved spending plan has broad crossover with the Measure J Re-imagine LA Advisory Committee’s recommendations and meets or exceeds 91 percent of the committee’s recommendations and funds 29 new or expanded programs (click here to view the spending plan).

    The plan was developed with an equity lens, with a primary focus on chronically under-resourced communities to address negative outcomes caused by racially-driven criminal justice inequities and long-term community economic disinvestment.

    Highlights of the funding plan include:

    • $42 million to support the closure of Men’s Central Jail
    • $8 million for community-based pretrial services in highly impacted communities, replacing law-enforcement supervision and pretrial incarceration for eligible individuals
    • $20.9 million to support youth at risk of involvement with the justice system or already involved in the justice system
    • $16 million for housing and related services to meet a variety of needs including for people experiencing homelessness with complex health needs; people with substance use disorder and at-risk and system-impacted youth and transition-age youth
    • $15 million to support residents returning to the community after incarceration
    • $9 million in supports for people experiencing substance use disorder and to prevent drug-related harm and death

        A summary of the Care First Community Investment spending plan is here.
        Details of programs funded are here.

        In a separate action, the Board of Supervisors modified the Measure J Advisory Committee to the Los Angeles County Care First & Community Investment Advisory Committee (CFCI Advisory Committee), a 24-member board made up of a variety of community representatives, people with lived experiences, County department leaders and labor representatives. The new iteration of the advisory committee will continue to advise on related spending and will support the County’s creation of an online dashboard to monitor Care First Community Investment data.

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