RHAC

Reentry Health Advisory Collaborative

Care First & Jail Last

Reentry Health Advisory Collaborative

huynhtue266
October 24, 2022
Our Mission:
RHAC aims to elevate and authentically integrate the expertise of formerly incarcerated individuals at decision-making tables and provide formal compensation for their consultation services on a county policymaking level.

  • What Is RHAC?

    We provide lived experience expertise to public service systems and policies to improve health equity for justice-involved populations. RHAC participates in decision-making spaces that traditionally only include law enforcement and other public sector employees. Comprising of 11 paid
    formerly incarcerated members with knowledge in local justice systems, community re-entry, and
    related adversity, RHAC provides compensation to promote economic justice for their lived experience and proficiency in better public-serving systems.

  • Problem

    Despite efforts to reduce the jail population and increase diversion, LA County continues to over-police and incarcerate many individuals from Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities. On any given day, there are over 15,000 individuals incarcerated in LA County jails, of which 40% are pre-trial, and almost 40% (6,000 people) have been diagnosed with mental health needs. Additionally, Black individuals

    disproportionately makeup 30% of the county's jail population, yet only 8% of the county's population, while Latinx make up 54% of the jail population and 48% of the county's population.

  • Discover your Talents

    WHY IS RHAC'S EXPERTISE NEEDED IN LA COUNTY?

    To improve resources, policies, & programs for jail diversion & re-
    entry due to:
    a) A lack of socially and culturally acceptable social & health services
    b) A lack of educational and career development programming,
    promoting health and social wellbeing
    c) Barriers and bias in obtaining employment and other self-sustaining resources
    d) Health, mental health, and death disparities

  • What Has RHAC Accomplished in LA County?

    Provided insight on equitable policies and programs related to:

    • LA County Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) Initiatives
    • LA County 'Measure J' Implementation and Services Men's Central Jail Closure Workgroup's Community
    • Engagement and Racial Equity Committee
    • LA County Jail Population Reduction Workgroup and Council
    • LA County Department of Health Services (LAC-DHS) programming for community reentry And more!

  • RHAC'S EXPERTISE & QUALIFICATIONS

    RHAC members have 'justice system lived experience' or precise expertise injustice system involvement, structural adversity, and human development and therefore, are able to provide unique input in judicial environments to bridge the gap between policy-making and the people being served. Lived experience can include homelessness, personal/familial incarceration, mental health disorders, suicide, drug addiction, domestic violence, hate, gang membership, poverty, community violence, discrimination, immigration issues, gender identity or LGBTQ+
    community, and other adverse social determinants of health.