Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative

⚽ PASS THE BALL CHALLENGE ⚽

Atlanta may be focused on soccer right now, but every day PAD is helping connect people to support, services, and care.

From responding to community concerns to providing meals, transportation, housing support, and connections to resources, it takes a team to change the game.

Every great team needs support. Atlanta has PAD.

Make PAD part of the game plan.

Care Navigation is central to the work happening at the Center for Diversion and Services. Through long-term support and care, PAD helps reduce incarceration rates for individuals experiencing poverty, substance use, and mental health challenges by connecting participants with resources that support long-term stability.

This week, James Jones spoke before the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, sharing how support from PAD and his Care Navigator helped him rebuild stability, confidence, and a long-term vision for his future through wellness, movement, and community.

Care Navigation is central to the work happening at the Center for Diversion and Services. Through long-term support and care, PAD helps reduce incarceration rates for individuals experiencing poverty, substance use, and mental health challenges by connecting participants with resources that support long-term stability.

This week, Tanesha Door, a Community Advocate and former PAD participant, spoke before the Fulton County Board of Commissioners about the importance of prevention, intervention, and strengthening the systems that help people avoid deeper involvement with jails, emergency rooms, and other overwhelmed systems.

Care Navigation is central to the work happening at the Center for Diversion and Services. Through long-term support and care, PAD helps reduce incarceration rates for individuals experiencing poverty, substance use, and mental health challenges by connecting participants with resources that support long-term stability.

Cameron, a Care Navigator with PAD, spoke before the Fulton County Board of Commissioners this week, sharing how he once stayed hours past work to support a participant through a behavioral health crisis and help connect him to the care he needed, highlighting that continued support and trust can make the difference between instability and recovery.

Care Navigation is central to the work happening at the Center for Diversion and Services. Through long-term support and care, PAD helps reduce incarceration rates for individuals experiencing poverty, substance use, and mental health challenges by connecting participants with resources that support long-term stability.

Eugene, Housing Manager with PAD, spoke before the Fulton County Board of Commissioners this week, sharing how his own lived experience drives his commitment to helping others access housing, hope, and the support needed to rebuild their lives.

Care Navigation is central to the work happening at the Center for Diversion and Services. Through long-term support and care, PAD helps reduce incarceration rates for individuals experiencing poverty, substance use, and mental health challenges by connecting participants with resources that support long-term stability.

Erice Monteiro, Legal Coordinator with PAD, spoke before the Fulton County Board of Commissioners this week, sharing how one participant with more than 50 arrest cycles and over a decade of substance use was able to secure housing and celebrate a year of sobriety through consistent support and care.

Born and raised in Southwest Atlanta, Victoria, a Care Navigator with PAD, spoke before the Fulton County Board of Commissioners this week about the power of community support, sharing how one participant was able to regain custody of her daughter, secure housing, and become employed through consistent care and resources.

“Healing takes time. Trust takes time. Stabilization takes time.” This week, Denise White, Deputy Director of Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative, spoke before the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on the importance of care navigation, compassion, and long-term community support.