Community Engagement
ODR Permanent Steering Committee
The Office of Diversion and Reentry, part of the LA County Department of Health Services, diverts people with serious mental, physical and/or behavioral health needs away from the LA County jails and into healthcare treatment including housing. The ODR Permanent Steering Committee was created in 2015 alongside the development of ODR and is designed to develop and drive recommendations for ODR. The committee also advises ODR leadership on spending priorities, program development, quality improvement, stakeholder engagement and other areas of interest.
The ODR PSC meetings are held Quarterly.
For more information, please reach out to Arineh Shahverdian at ashahverdian2@dhs.lacounty.gov
Permanent Steering Committee (PSC) Information:
The committee includes the following:
County representatives: The committee is made up of one leadership representative from each of the following departments: Chief Executive Office, Superior Court, Public Defender, Alternative Public Defender, District Attorney, Sheriff’s Department, Probation, Fire Department, Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention and the Control division of the Department of Public Health, and DHS.
Community representatives: The committee will also include at least one representative from a mental health service provider, one representative from a mental health advocacy organization and two community members nominated by each Board office.
ODR Lived Experience Board
ODR’s Lived Experience Board centers the voices of people most impacted by incarceration, homelessness, and behavioral health to drive meaningful system change.
The goals are:
- Share insights and lived perspectives on ODR programs and services
- Advise system leadership on barriers and opportunities
- Co create culturally responsive, equitable solutions
- Promote healing, growth, and community centered leadership
Lived experience work recognizes that people who have been directly impacted by systems are experts. The approach makes sure that people who are closest to the issue are closest to finding solutions. Through lived experience leadership, ODR will:
- Center those closest to the issue
- Shape services and policies from the ground up
- Build trust and accountability
- Foster justice through inclusion
Peer-led and lived experience advisory groups have been shown to increase retention in behavioral health programs by 20–30%. (SAMHSA)
Wellness is at the heart of this work. ODR’s Lived Experience Board includes dedicated support for members’ emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing.
Wellness Offerings:
- Peer support and healing circles
- Restorative meeting practices
- Mental health and community care resources
- Stipends and capacity-building opportunities
We’re proud to introduce an incredible group of leaders from across ODR programs.
ODR staff and providers recommended participants who demonstrated leadership, commitment, and a vision for change. Our recruitment ensured diverse representation across programs, reflecting the richness and strength of the ODR community.
From the very first meet & greet conversations, members expressed a deep desire to move from personal story to collective action, highlighting their leadership.
Rosa Aguirre (she/her) | Co-chair
I joined the board to be a voice for the ODR community members. To present and represent as a whole. To open a line of communication for those who are passionate to see the ODR program succeed.
Anthem: What’s This Life For! – Band Creed
Favorite emoji: ☺️
James Presley (he/him) | Co-chair
I joined the board to make a difference with my voice and wisdom to bring change and impact in people’s lives.
Anthem: Radioactive – Imagine Dragons
Favorite emoji: ✌🏿
Dalila Arias (she/her)
I joined to ensure people’s voices are being heard so they become active partners in change rather than just passive recipients of a service.
Anthem: Fight Song – Rachel Platten
Favorite emoji: 😜
Dennis Boyle (he/him)
I joined because through my life experience and compassion I can offer a lot to the board.
Anthem: A morning star
Favorite emoji: 😺
Diamond Killion (she/her)
I joined to make a change in the ODR program.
Anthem: Be humble – Kendrick Lamar
Favorite emoji: 🥰
James Lane (he/him)
I joined the board in the hopes of helping other people such as myself with such a life changing program for the better. This program has helped me in my life tremendously and I could only hope to be a part of changing someone else’s just the same.
Anthem: Everytime – Madchild
Favorite emoji: 😎
Marvin Tarver (he/him)
I joined the board because my lived experience matters, and I want to make sure people with similar experiences are genuinely heard and considered.
Anthem: I Won’t Complain – Marvin Sapp
Favorite emoji: 💪🏿
On’Shay Polkali (she/her)
I joined the board because the opportunity to be part of any level of California, is where I want to be.
Anthem: Eye of The Tiger – Katy Perry
Sonia Martinez (she/her)
Scott Skinner (he/him)
I joined the board so that I can help other members in the program.
Anthem: Hello Fear – Kirk Franklin
Favorite emoji: ❤️
Tahji Stowe (she/he/they)
I joined the board to see if I could help others like myself.
Anthem: Down For Too Long – Kocky Ka
Favorite emoji: 😘
Vercinia Gordon (she/her)
I joined the ODR lived experience board to have a voice for my peers stating what needs to added and what needs to stay the same in these programs.
Anthem: Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
Favorite emoji: 😘
Want to Stay in Touch or Still Have Questions?
We’d love to connect. Whether you’re interested in joining, partnering, or learning more, our team is here to help. Email: Lschuler@dhs.lacounty.gov
EDIA Contact: Edia.CommunityPrograms@dhs.lacounty.gov
Resources:
University of California San Francisco Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative. Creating Authentic, Effective Partnerships between Organizations and People with Lived Experiences: A Toolkit. Available at: https://homelessness.ucsf.edu/resources/toolkit/creating-authentic-effective-partnerships-between-organizations-and-people-lived
What is the Lived Experience Board (LEB)?
The Lived Experience Board (LEB) is a new initiative at ODR designed to engage people with direct experience by bringing board members together to provide feedback, insight, and recommendations to help strengthen ODR services. The board was created so that the voices of people most impacted by ODR programs are part of how we reflect, improve, and make decisions about our work.
Why is ODR creating a lived experience board?
The LEB is being developed to embed authentic lived experience into ODR’s decision-making processes. It aligns with our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism, ensuring that programs truly meet the needs of those they serve. This initiative is supported by funding from the Hilton Foundation, which emphasizes community driven solutions.
Who can be a member of the LEB? What are the eligibility requirements?
LEB members must have direct lived experience with ODR programs, specifically as current or former participants of ODR. This ensures that the board is composed of individuals whose experiences are most relevant to ODR’s mission.
Will LEB members be compensated for their time?
Yes, LEB members will be compensated for their valuable time, energy, and contributions. We plan to prioritize our budget to offer gift cards or prepaid debit cards, with a proposed compensation of $100 per meeting.
What will be the primary roles and responsibilities of LEB members?
LEB members will participate in regular meetings, share feedback on ODR programs and participant experiences, help identify priorities for improvement, and contribute ideas and recommendations that can inform program planning and decision making. Members may also join smaller workgroups focused on specific topics or projects. The board is designed to support shared leadership, including co-chairs and opportunities for members to help shape discussions.
How can I support as a staff member?
Your involvement is essential to the LEB’s success. ODR staff can support in several ways, including attending upcoming trainings to enhance skills in integrating lived experience, becoming a “Lived Experience Board Champion” for more direct engagement, and assisting with recruitment by helping identify and recommend potential board members from ODR programs.
How can community members support the Lived Experience Board?
Community members can support the Lived Experience Board by sharing partnership opportunities that align with the board’s goals. Community based organizations and partners may also be able to support through training, workshops, resource sharing, or other collaborative opportunities that help strengthen the experience and leadership of board members.
