Arizona voters approved the voter initiative that made retail marijuana available back in 2020. Embedded in the Act was an excise tax on marijuana, part of which goes into a “Justice Reinvestment Fund” to address substance use and mental health issues that often contribute to incarceration.
The Arizona Department of Health Services receives and has been administering the fund. These funds are allocated to local health departments, community organizations, and service providers to support evidence-based interventions that reduce recidivism and promote public health.
Last week the Vitalyst Health Foundation & TAPAZ were selected by ADHS to manage the Justice Reinvestment Fund. Over the next 4 years they’ll be reviewing proposals and making grants to the tune of about $10M/year throughout the state in four priority areas:
- Substance use prevention and treatment and early intervention services
- Restorative justice, jail diversion & workforce development for persons in communities disproportionately impacted by higher rates of arrest and incarceration.
- Addressing the underlying causes of crime, reducing drug-related arrests, and reducing the prison population
- Creating or developing technology and programs to assist with the restoration of civil rights and the expungement of criminal records
Vitalyst/TAPAZ is very experienced at evaluating and awarding grants of all sizes – from Spark grants to System Change grants and will use their existing grant management system to receive, evaluate and award proposals. Vitalyst and their partner TAPAZ also have staff experienced in evaluation to evaluate performance once work begins.
Good choice by Team ADHS.
