criminal justice system in Oklahoma City. The facility will also provide ample space for the organization and community partners to connect clients to resources and programming outside of the Diversion Hub. “The Diversion Hub already is a key player in the improvements occurring in the Oklahoma County justice system and we applaud the MAPS 4 progress,” said Timothy Tardibono, executive director of the OK County Criminal Justice Advisory Council (CJAC). “CJAC works regularly with them and is the fiscal partner for the Misdemeanor Diversion Program (MDP) as a grant recipient from the U.S. Department of Justice. We are excited they will have expanded facilities to serve more Oklahoma County residents to break the cycle of incarceration and improve community safety.” Currently, the Diversion Hub offers a Misdemeanor Diversion Program (MDP), Failure To Appear Program, Treatment Court Recovery Navigation, Court Ordered Outpatient Recovery Navigation (CO-OP), DIRECT Program and Stand-Up Program. The organization also extends on-site weekly classes from community partners, such as Drug/DUI Peer Group, Recovery Basics Group, Parenting Class, DREAMS Court Peer Group, Anger Management, Employment and Job Readiness and Positive Thinking. The new space will allow for additional programming, such as case management, justice navigation, peer support, employment assistance, housing navigation, family services, kitchen and dining services, behavioral health and substance-use services, probationary services and education support. “The new facility provides more space for Diversion Hub to operate and expand their services in our community,” MAPS Program Manager David Todd said. “The new MAPS 4 building, alongside the nonprofit and its partners, will connect people to trained professionals, resources and support programs in a safe, welcoming environment.” Operational expenses will be supported by a $20 million permanent endowment fund with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. The project budget includes 1% for public art and design features, with a request for proposals already issued to establish an artist. Rees Associates is the project architect for the new Diversion Hub, and public bids for construction contractors will begin this month.
Oklahoma has one of the highest incarceration rates in the United States. In order to improve the criminal justice system in the state, the Oklahoma County Diversion Hub is a multi-agency network created in June 2020 to assist low-level offenders, stabilize their lives, receive life- changing services and transition back into the Oklahoma City community. To provide services such as workshops, classes, betterment programs and additional support, the Diversion Hub needs a larger space to operate than its current building provides. On July 16, the Oklahoma City Council approved plans for a new $18.9 million, 35,575-square-foot Diversion Hub facility located on a 2.59-acre plot on Linwood Blvd. between N. Western Ave. and N. Klein Ave. The facility is a project incorporated in Oklahoma City’s MAPS 4 Implementation Plan. “Our goal is to divert people away from the criminal legal system with an individualized approach,” said Executive Director of Diversion Hub Meagan Taylor. “Our approach supports the individual and helps ensure the best possible outcome for our community.” The new facility will relieve a large amount of pressure from the Oklahoma County Jail, further enhancing the OKLAHOMA COUNTY DIVERSION HUB CELEBRATES NEW BUILDING ON THE HORIZON Diversion Hub conceptual rendering by Rees Associates
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