Sacramento County supervisors today approved a contract of up to $180,000 for a new rehabilitation program for criminal offenders.
The award comes after almost two years of lobbying by the creators of the Ascend program to get funding. They've been running the program with volunteers so far.
The Sheriff's Department will place offenders released from jail and on electronic monitoring into the program, where they receive behavioral training and submit to drug testing and daily check ins.
Program cofounder Christine Galves thanked Capt. Milo Fitch of the Sheriff's Department "because he came to the table in a very genuine way. I believe that is why we have the contract."
The county has been pressured to invest more in rehabilitation because it is receiving more criminal offenders as a result of a 2011 state law to reduce prison overcrowding.
Supervisors pressed law enforcement to find funds for Ascend.
"I want to thank county staff," Supervisor Jimmie Yee said. "This is a program I have supported since Day 1."
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