LEAD: An Early Evaluation of Implementation Successes and Challenges in California

• In Event: Advances in Evaluation Research Methods

Abstract

LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) is a harm reduction-oriented alternative to incarceration for low-level drug and prostitution offenders designed to reduce the revolving door of imprisonment. The program originated in Seattle, WA in 2011 and has since been employed in various other locations, including California. This study assesses the implementation of LEAD in California’s two pilot locations: LA County and San Francisco. A qualitative approach, centered around interviews and focus groups, is employed to identify early themes of change and adaptation during the program’s initial implementation. The goal of this study is to communicate implementation successes and challenges to stakeholders, researchers, and other sites considering LEAD.

Authors

• Erica Jovanna Magana, California State University, Long Beach

• Dina Perrone, California State University, Long Beach

• James M. Binnall, California State University, Long Beach

• Aili Malm, California State University, Long Beach