What We Do
LEAD NEW ORLEANS – NOPD with case managers, LEAD Project manager, and Judge
Our Approach
LEAD is a proven strategy to better respond to crime and disorder caused by people whose unlawful or problematic conduct stems from mental illness, substance use, trauma, or poverty. LEAD seeks to reduce harm and increase equity by reorienting the systems that shape health and safety. With LEAD, stakeholders collectively build non-punitive pathways to long-term, community-based care as an alternative to arrest and prosecution for people who commit, or are at high risk of committing, law violations due to their behavioral health challenges.
Connections to Social Services
NAMI and Travelers Aid Society provide LEAD case management services to our participants. Through July 2024, they have worked with 140 people to facilitate connections to temporary and permanent housing, substance use disorder treatment, mental health services, medical care, securing essential documents, applying for benefits, transportation and food assistance, and providing court support. Our case management model is long-term, grounded in harm reduction, and is designed to support people on their own terms.
OUR RESULTS
Recidivism Reduction
In 2023, over 4 years, LEAD New Orleans resulted in:
58.8% public safety rate & a 53% reduction in arrests
In 2019 in New Orleans, one year of LEAD resulted in a:
79% reduction in police summons
35% reduction in arrest
72% fewer overall days in jail
90% reduction of days spent in jail per participant
Addressing Unmet Needs of Participants
In 2023:
CLIENTS SERVED – 73
HOURS SPENT WITH CLIENTS – 2,723
SOCIAL SERVICE CONNECTIONS MADE – 238
ARREST DIVERSIONS FROM JULY-SEPTEMBER 2023 – 15
SOCIAL CONTACT REFERRALS – 41
Goals of lead
