What is the Care First, Jails Last Resolution?

We authored the Care First, Jails Last Resolution in 2021, and remain committed to implementing the policy in a robust, community-centered, and racially equitable way. 

Care First, Jails Last is an Alameda County, CA policy resolution that 1) sets a policy goal to end the County’s reliance on incarcerating people with mental illness and substance use needs, and 2) creates a community-led process to build out community-based mental health care. It was passed on May 25, 2021 unanimously by the Board of Supervisors. However, we do not support the participation of law enforcement in the CFJL Taskforce, as added to the final resolution by the Alameda County BOS. ​The resolution was co-authored by American Friends Service Committee and Restore Oakland, and championed by Supervisor Wilma Chan.

What happens next?

After the CFJL resolution was passed, the County mandated the creation of a Care First Jails Last Taskforce, which tasked with implementing the vision of the CFJL resolution. The CFJL Taskforce begun meeting on a monthly basis in March 2022. The Taskforce will span from March 2022-March 2024. There will be a Taskforce update to the County Board of Supervisors in April 2023.

​Monthly Care First Jails Last Taskforce meetings: https://bit.ly/CareFirstZoom

Care First Jails Last Taskforce Composition

25-member, Brown-acted committee

Board of Supervisors
D1 - Haubert - Peggy Rahman (NAMI)
D2 - Valle - Rachell Romero (community member)
D3 - Tam - Kimberly Graves (community member)
D4 - Miley - Kristina Bedrossian (Community Works West)
D5 - Carson - KD Dixon (All of Us Or None)

Community-Based Service Providers
  • La Familia - Jason Toro (Director of Re-Entry)
  • Felton Institute - Curtis Penn (Justice Services Director)
  • BOSS - Edward Buchanan (Deputy Director, Clinical and Criminal Justice Programs)

City Programs
  • Oakland Dept of Violence prevention - Guillermo Cispedes (Director)
  • Alameda Health Consortium - Mia Cooper (Senior Behavioral Health Manager)

Mental Health Advisory Board - Brian Bloom

East Bay Supportive Housing Collaborative - Margot Dashiell

County Agencies
  1. Housing Community Development - Michelle Starratt
  2. Office of Homeless Care and Coordination - Kerry Abbott
  3. ACBH - Karyn Tribble
  4. ACSO - Marty Neideffer
  5. Social Services - Andrea Ford
  6. DA's Office - Kelsey Oneill
  7. PD's Office - Tiffany Danao
  8. Probation - Corinne Lee
  9. Superior Court - Judge Syren

City Law Enforcement (4 seats)
1. Oakland Police Dept. - Doria Neff
2. Union City Police Dept. - Travis Souza

*We do not support the participation of law enforcement in the CFJL Taskforce (as added to the final resolution by the Alameda County BOS). ​
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