Policing Alternative and Diversion Initiative (PAD)

PAD fosters a new approach to community safety and wellness by engaging in creative problem-solving to respond to community concerns, and addressing people’s human needs with dignity, patience and care. PAD provides an alternative to criminal justice involvement through two core strategies- Community Response Services: We partner with the City of Atlanta’s 311 non-emergency services line to accept community referrals for issues of concern related to mental health, substance use or extreme poverty. LEAD Diversion Services: We accept pre-arrest diversion referrals from law enforcement, to provide an immediate alternative to arrest for individuals experiencing substance addiction, mental health concerns, or extreme poverty. We don’t stop at immediate assistance. We also provide housing support and case management through our Care Navigation team, building relationships to support people in achieving their goals for a more stable and healthy life. Our services are grounded in the principles of harm reduction and housing first.