Crossings TV Asian Television – Home to Asian Americans
Last week, LMC brought together media outlets to discuss how to get these essential new resources to our communities impacted by the criminal justice system. The outlets that participated in a robust conversation on JCOD’s resources include La Opinión, La Nueva Voz, San Fernando Valley Sun, LA Focus, Impulso, and more. The conversation focused on how BIPOC media can be a part of reaching more people who have been released from LA County jail facilities and have been affected by incarceration or are in pre-trial procedures.
Highlights:
- Former Judge has been leading a new department that is transforming how we care for people impacted by the criminal justice system as a way of reducing recidivism and making our communities safer.
- The Board created JCOD to consolidate justice reform priorities and align the work of various County departments and advisory bodies into one place to implement a Care First vision adopted by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to provide wrap-around and supportive services that assist individuals and communities impacted by the criminal legal system.
- Over 10 BIPOC media outlets attended the roundtable to discuss how they can alert the public about these services
– Judge Songhai Armstead (Ret.), Director of LA County JCOD“We focus on what is called care-management and wrap around systems of care, a complete 180 from the days of just punishment (incarceration) and release without the tools and services to help prevent recidivism and homelessness.”
“If you call us and say, ‘Hey, I have just been released [from prison], I don’t have anywhere to go,’ we will send a car to pick you up, and we will take you to emergency housing and connect you to a care manager.”
“In less than two years, we’ve already done so much.”
About JCOD:
In 2020, voters across Los Angeles County voted for the passage of Measure J, which ensured funding for alternatives to incarceration and direct community investment. The founding of the Los Angeles County Justice, Care, and Opportunities Department in November 2022 was a positive step forward to unify the County’s efforts to serve vulnerable justice-impacted people and communities and drive forward the Board’s Care First vision. JCOD is now responsible for the administration of the Measure J funding in collaboration with the Care First Community Investment Advisory Committee. Getting information out to these communities about the various programs, services, and resources available through the LAC JCOD is a top priority for the Department. Reaching Los Angeles’ Latino, multi-ethnic, and multilingual population is more than just about disseminating information but also fostering understanding, building trust, and establishing relatable narratives.