The Arizona Justice Reinvestment Grants Program is a grant funded through Arizona's Proposition 207 marijuana excise tax revenue and managed by Vitalyst Health Foundation and TAPAZ on behalf of the Arizona Department of Health Services.

The program funds organizations working on substance use prevention, treatment, and early intervention; restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, and mentoring services; efforts to address root causes of crime and reduce drug-related arrests; and programs to restore civil rights and expunge criminal records. Grants awarded in 2025 ranged up to ,000.

Eligible applicants are organizations supporting people impacted by substance use or the justice system in Arizona. The program runs for five years.

Arizona Justice Reinvestment Grants - Vitalyst Health All 2025 Arizona Justice Reinvestment Grant Awardees Have Been Notified. The following organizations have been selected and approved by the Arizona Department of Health Services to be recipients of 2025 Justice Reinvestment Grants. You can read the awardee and project summaries at the bottom of this page.

What is the Arizona Justice Reinvestment Grants Program? The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) has selected Vitalyst Health Foundation and the Technical Assistance Partnership of Arizona (TAPAZ) as the fiscal agent to manage the Marijuana Justice Reinvestment grant for the next five years.

When Arizona voters approved Proposition 207 in 2020, it legalized recreational cannabis use for adults aged 21 and over and introduced an excise tax on marijuana. A portion of the tax revenue is allocated to the Justice Reinvestment Fund, which aims to address substance use and mental health issues that often contribute to incarceration. What organizations qualify for Reinvestment Grants?

If your organization supports people impacted by substance use or the justice system, you may qualify for a new grant opportunity. As part of Proposition 207 , Arizona is providing funding to organizations that help these communities. This grant is designed for organizations working on: Public and behavioral health initiatives for substance use prevention, treatment, and early intervention services.

Restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, and mentoring services for economically disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately affected by higher arrest and incarceration rates. Addressing the root causes of crime, reducing drug-related arrests, and lowering the prison population. Developing technology and programs to restore civil rights and expunge criminal records.

Grant Documents and Requirements The slide presentation below accompanies the recording of the Justice Reinvestment Grant Awardee Orientation.

Justice Reinvestment Grant Orientation Questions can be asked directly at [email protected] 2025 Arizona Justice Reinvestment Grant Awardees and Project Summaries Can Be Seen Below El Pueblo Housing Development: $200,000 El Pueblo Housing Development Location: Tucson, Arizona 3) Addressing the root causes of crime, reducing drug-related arrests, and lowering the prison population.

The El Pueblo Housing Development project adopts the CSP-Housing First model to help unsheltered individuals transition from street living and its associated challenges—such as substance abuse and survival-based crime—into permanent housing.

Through strategic partnerships with organizations such as Community Bridges, Inc. and El Rio Community Health Centers, the project offers comprehensive street outreach, overdose prevention training, and access to emergency shelter and treatment programs.

The initiative’s education component focuses on opioid and substance misuse prevention, harm reduction, and community engagement, including naloxone training, workshops, and public messaging tailored to high-risk neighborhoods. Shelter services are managed through a network of shelters and supportive agencies, offering hundreds of beds and on-site support, such as workforce development and healthcare.

Housing navigation and case management are grounded in evidence-based practices, such as Critical Time Intervention (CTI), which emphasizes intensive support during periods of transition and connects participants to resources for long-term stability. The project also incorporates record expungement services to remove barriers to employment and housing for eligible individuals, leveraging recent changes in Arizona law.

Just Communities Arizona: $475,000 Location: Tucson, Arizona 3) Addressing the root causes of crime, reducing drug-related arrests, and lowering the prison population. The Just Communities Arizona (JCA) initiative seeks to enhance community safety and wellbeing through grassroots engagement and investment in resident-identified solutions.

The program focuses on fostering dialogue and cohesion among neighbors, breaking down social barriers, and supporting holistic community safety interventions while also bolstering the capacity and sustainability of local organizations serving communities impacted by high rates of arrest and incarceration.

JCA’s approach centers on active outreach, the creation of Community Safety Teams with stipends for participating neighborhood residents, and the funding of short-term, grassroots “Safety Incubator Projects. ” These projects are designed to be accomplished by everyday people, receiving support for materials and expert consultants, with a priority on utilizing local resources wherever possible.

Additionally, JCA provides training and capacity-building opportunities to enhance the skills necessary for successful community-led projects, such as conflict de-escalation and outreach strategies. The Women's Foundation For The State Of Arizona: $630,000 The Women’s Foundation For The State Of Arizona Location: Tucson, Arizona 3) Addressing the root causes of crime, reducing drug-related arrests, and lowering the prison population.

The Womens Foundation For The State Of Arizona (WFSA), in partnership with I Am You 360 (IAY360) and Innovation for Justice (i4J), is launching the Women’s Legal Community Justice (WLCJ) initiative to address the needs of justice-impacted communities, especially rural and BIPOC women.

This program leverages recent changes in Arizona law, allowing community legal advocates (CLAs) trained by i4J and certified by the Arizona Supreme Court to provide trauma-informed, limited-scope legal advice. With WFSA as the lead convener and administrator, WLCJ will train 45–50 women in trusted community-helping roles across high-risk counties to deliver legal support focused on housing stability and domestic violence prevention.

The initiative is grounded in a cohort model supported by IAY360’s holistic empowerment framework and ongoing community coordination. CLAs will receive flexible, modular legal training and ongoing mentorship, enabling them to address eviction risk, domestic violence, and related justice challenges in their communities.

This approach ensures that legal help is accessible, culturally responsive, and embedded within trusted local organizations, thereby positioning the people most at risk as leaders and problem solvers in their own communities.

Through collaboration and targeted outreach, the WLCJ program aims to break cycles of arrest and incarceration, foster generational change, and strengthen the skills and confidence of BIPOC women serving as advocates at the front lines of community safety and restorative justice efforts.

Archwood Community Resource & Empowerment Strategies: $500,000 Archwood Community Resource & Empowerment Strategies Location: Phoenix, Arizona 2) Restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, and mentoring services for economically disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately affected by higher arrest and incarceration rates.

The initiative aims to support justice-impacted individuals in Maricopa County by providing comprehensive services centered on entrepreneurship, mentorship, and community reintegration. Core components include business training, peer mentorship led by justice-involved facilitators, financial literacy workshops, and access to legal and wellness support services.

The initiative will host rights restoration clinics and operate from both a central location and satellite sites, ensuring broad community reach. By prioritizing personalized support and connection to resources, the program seeks to empower participants with the skills and confidence to build sustainable legal income, foster healing, and strengthen their paths to successful reintegration.

Arizona Career Development Center: $350,000 Arizona Career Development Center 2) Restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, and mentoring services for economically disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately affected by higher arrest and incarceration rates.

The Arizona Career Development Center (ACDC) is committed to empowering justice-impacted individuals in Maricopa County through stable pathways to financial security and lifelong success. Core objectives include enhancing workforce readiness through professional and life skills training, facilitating rapid entry into employment, and supporting the reintegration of individuals transitioning from incarceration.

ACDC also prioritizes collaboration with community organizations to provide wraparound services, including housing assistance, financial literacy, trauma-informed care, and resources for single parents and vulnerable populations. The center remains dedicated to sustaining and expanding opportunities for its participants.

Black River Life Media: $350,000 Location: Phoenix, Arizona 2) Restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, and mentoring services for economically disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately affected by higher arrest and incarceration rates. Black River Life will deliver a streamlined three-year initiative to support justice-impacted Black communities in South Phoenix.

The program emphasizes arts-based healing, creative workforce development, and public storytelling to address the social and economic challenges experienced by individuals impacted by incarceration. Each year, the initiative will provide stipends, mentorship, and peer-led training to 6-8 Black artists with lived experience, helping them create impactful works that foster both narrative empowerment and economic mobility.

Culturally grounded Healing Labs, shaped by Black and Indigenous traditions, will offer wellness, creative practices, and community care. The project also includes public storytelling events to showcase these creative works and promote community dialogue through the installation of The Temple of Traveling Mercies.

In addition to artistic support, Black River Life will offer individualized coaching and resource navigation, helping fellows access employment, housing, and opportunities for personal growth as they transition from systems of incarceration or surveillance. This focused approach ensures meaningful engagement and deep community impact within available resources.

Catholic Charities Community Services: $200,000 Catholic Charities Community Services Location: Phoenix, Arizona 2) Restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, and mentoring services for economically disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately affected by higher arrest and incarceration rates.

Catholic Charities’ initiative focuses on sustaining Juniper House, a supportive reentry facility for justice-involved individuals in Coconino County, Northern Arizona. The program’s objectives include maintaining stable housing for residents, offering individualized, trauma-informed reentry plans, and connecting participants to behavioral health and recovery resources through strong partnerships with community organizations.

Workforce development is also a key component, with residents receiving job readiness training and assistance in securing essential documents, as well as employment support. The initiative emphasizes long-term stability and community reintegration by providing financial literacy coaching, supporting family reunification, and creating opportunities for alumni involvement and mentorship.

Construyendo Circulos de Paz (Constructing Circles of Peace): $400,000 Construyendo Circulos de Paz (Constructing Circles of Peace) Location: Nogales, Arizona 2) Restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, and mentoring services for economically disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately affected by higher arrest and incarceration rates.

Circles of Peace’s Justice Reinvestment initiative in Santa Cruz County seeks to reduce involvement with the justice system and strengthen families by expanding restorative justice programming for youth and adults.

The initiative will expand the reach of current jail diversion programs to include participants in drug court and mental health court, offering consistent, community-based care, such as peacemaking circles, family conferencing, and mentorship. Through these efforts, the organization aims to redirect individuals from incarceration to supportive services, emphasizing healing, relationship-building, and early intervention.

A key focus is on enhancing restorative justice practices through advanced staff training, deeper integration of family and community engagement, and a new youth mentorship program open to all area youth. The initiative will also bolster youth diversion by expanding the THRIVE program’s case management, family support, and wraparound services, as well as launching a Restorative Justice Youth Leadership Institute.

Additionally, the program strengthens peer support and recovery services for those with lived experience in substance use, justice involvement, or mental health challenges, ensuring that participants receive individualized guidance and family-based support. Community feedback is central to the model, with advisory councils and regular forums shaping and evaluating the work.

Together, these strategies aim to build a cohesive, culturally responsive continuum of care that prioritizes prevention, healing, and accountability throughout the community.

Dress For Success Phoenix: $500,000 Dress For Success Phoenix Location: Phoenix, Arizona 2) Restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, and mentoring services for economically disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately affected by higher arrest and incarceration rates.

The HOPE for Success program, offered by Dress For Success Phoenix, is dedicated to supporting women as they re-enter society after incarceration. Through a comprehensive approach, the program provides participants with career readiness training, individualized development plans, professional attire, and essential pre- and post-release services.

These include access to educational curricula via facility-issued tablets, personal finance coaching, job search support, and robust case management that continues for a year after release. Collaboration with community partners and service providers ensures that women receive assistance with housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare, and emergency needs, particularly during the critical first 72 hours after discharge.

The program also connects participants to certification opportunities and apprenticeships, facilitating pathways to stable employment. With over 160 employer partners, Dress For Success Phoenix helps participants secure professional roles, offering ongoing support and mentorship throughout their reintegration process.

Ultimately, the HOPE for Success program focuses on long-term stability and self-sufficiency for women, equipping them with the skills, resources, and confidence needed to thrive in their communities and reduce the likelihood of recidivism.

Location: Fort Defiance, Arizona 2) Restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, and mentoring services for economically disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately affected by higher arrest and incarceration rates.

The Elevate Navajo program is focused on empowering Navajo youth in Window Rock schools by increasing graduation rates, improving attendance, and developing vital life skills and social-emotional competencies. Specific objectives include ensuring that the majority of participating students are on track to graduate, attend school regularly, and take on leadership or mentoring roles.

The program also emphasizes building responsibility, courage, and a clear vision for post-high school plans, ensuring that every senior leaves with a prepared path forward. Additionally, Elevate Navajo is committed to improving students’ mental health and emotional resilience, aiming for at least half of the participants to report greater hope for their futures by the end of each year.

Although the program’s budget has shifted due to reduced grant funding for the lead teacher-mentor position, additional resources will be sought to maintain the delivery of all planned goals and activities. Through holistic support and a comprehensive structure, the program aims to equip Navajo youth with the tools and confidence necessary for long-term success.

Location: Phoenix, Arizona 2) Restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, and mentoring services for economically disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately affected by higher arrest and incarceration rates. Elevate Phoenix aims to reduce youth delinquency, crime, arrest, and substance use rates in priority communities by providing comprehensive mentoring and support.

Through teacher-mentors, the program builds enduring relationships with students, offering guidance during the school day, after-school tutoring, and emotional support, even outside regular hours. Peer leadership is fostered by training older students to mentor younger ones, teaching accredited life skills and reading curricula, and organizing literacy activities.

The program also focuses on preparing students for post-secondary education and future careers. Teens receive help with college applications, financial aid paperwork, and workforce readiness training. Access to resources like myON Reader, featuring over 8,000 e-books, supports reading development and tracks growth in Lexile scores.

By offering holistic support—academic, emotional, and practical—Elevate Phoenix empowers youth to build resilience, avoid negative influences such as drugs and alcohol, and become responsible, compassionate members of their community.

Hopi Foundation: $200,000 Location: Kykotsmovi, Arizona 2) Restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, and mentoring services for economically disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately affected by higher arrest and incarceration rates.

The Hopi Foundation’s program is dedicated to sustaining its operational capacity by retaining committed staff to deliver culturally grounded outreach, mentorship, and recovery services. The initiative emphasizes continuous community feedback, data-driven planning, and staff development to ensure high-quality services and long-term financial sustainability.

A central component is the development of a Hopi-specific Recovery Curriculum that incorporates traditional teachings and cultural practices, guiding participants through a holistic healing journey. The program also leverages agricultural activities, like the Recovery Garden and intergenerational events, to foster resilience and community healing.

Regularly scheduled cultural and educational events further strengthen cultural identity and provide opportunities for substance use prevention and recovery support.

Human Services Campus Inc (AKA Keys to Change): $200,000 Human Services Campus Inc (AKA Keys to Change) Location: Phoenix, Arizona 2) Restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, and mentoring services for economically disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately affected by higher arrest and incarceration rates.

Keys to Freedom is a comprehensive reentry program designed to support individuals recently released from incarceration, especially those experiencing homelessness and facing barriers due to their legal history. The program centers on communities most affected by systemic racism and mass incarceration, such as Black, Latino, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and disabled individuals.

Through personalized reentry plans, peer-led support, legal advocacy, and targeted services, Keys to Freedom empowers participants to secure stable housing, employment, and resolve legal barriers, helping to prevent recidivism and promote lasting reintegration.

Utilizing a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach, the program offers a full-time Reentry Navigator, Legal Support Coordinator, and Peer Support Specialist, who provide guidance and facilitate feedback through quarterly Freedom Forums. Over 80% of the staff have lived experience with incarceration, homelessness, or addiction, ensuring that services are delivered with understanding and dignity.

The program’s measurable objectives include reducing recidivism for 250 individuals annually, ending homelessness for 25–30 formerly incarcerated participants, helping 70% secure employment, 60% obtain stable housing, and 50% resolve legal barriers to employment. Overall, Keys to Freedom aims to foster safer and more equitable communities by addressing the root causes of homelessness and recidivism.

By combining individualized support, leadership development, and community engagement, the program strengthens resilience and creates pathways for justice-impacted individuals to thrive and lead within their communities.

Location: Phoenix, Arizona 2) Restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, and mentoring services for economically disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately affected by higher arrest and incarceration rates.

The Hustle PHX Community Development Loan Fund’s Reentry Credit Building Loan program addresses the financial and social barriers faced by formerly incarcerated young adults ages 16-26 as they reenter society. By offering small-dollar loans for court fees, restitution, child support, job equipment, or starting small businesses, the program aims to support financial independence and successful reintegration.

In addition to these loans, Hustle PHX provides training and mentoring in credit building, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship to empower participants and reduce recidivism St.

Joseph The Worker: $250,000 Location: Phoenix, Arizona 2) Restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, and mentoring services for economically disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately affected by higher arrest and incarceration rates.

The Workforce Villages Reentry Program is dedicated to helping justice-impacted women in Arizona overcome significant barriers to housing and employment following incarceration. By offering transitional housing, employment support, financial literacy coaching, and ongoing mentoring, the program addresses the root causes of homelessness and recidivism.

Participants receive intensive, personalized support beginning before their release from prison and continuing for up to a year, including job placement assistance, transportation vouchers, and life skills training.

The program provides safe housing for 30 to 45 days through the Fillmore House, followed by a 90-day stay in a fully furnished apartment, during which participants save the majority of their income to ensure future stability. Through strategic partnerships, wraparound services, and community engagement activities, the Workforce Villages Reentry Program fosters resilience, financial independence, and successful reintegration.

It empowers women to build brighter futures and reduces their risk of returning to incarceration. TigerMountain Foundation: $499,774 Location: Phoenix, Arizona 2) Restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, and mentoring services for economically disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately affected by higher arrest and incarceration rates.

The TigerMountain Foundation aims to address food insecurity and support justice-impacted youth and adults in Maricopa County by doubling its produce output, teaching gardening and life skills to at least 300 participants, and assisting up to 30 aspiring food entrepreneurs.

Through regular community sessions, the foundation reaches an additional 1,000 to 2,000 residents and 4,000 volunteers, encouraging participants to share their skills and even start their own home gardens. Education and experiential learning are central to the program.

Participants gain hands-on experience in designing, building, and maintaining gardens, while also learning essential skills in workforce development, financial literacy, nutrition, and business. The foundation’s initiatives have already led to a significant community impact, including harvesting over 4,270 pounds of produce, distributing CSA boxes, and participating in numerous farmers’ markets.

Additionally, funding requests support an incubator kitchen initiative, designed to help more youth and adults launch and sustain successful culinary businesses. With resources and training in food safety and business operations, the foundation aims to more than double the number of food vendors it currently supports, thereby further strengthening economic opportunities and access to healthy food within the community.

YWCA of Southern Arizona: $350,000 Location: Tucson, Arizona 2) Restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, and mentoring services for economically disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately affected by higher arrest and incarceration rates. The YWCA of Southern Arizona supports justice-involved youth and low-income women through two major initiatives: Teen Court and YWorks.

Teen Court leverages restorative justice and peer-led hearings to reduce juvenile delinquency in Pima County. Serving over 500 teens annually, it offers pre-arrest interventions, substance abuse screenings, family communication workshops, and service-learning opportunities.

The program aims for most participants to develop less favorable attitudes toward antisocial behavior, enhance family attachment, and foster positive peer interactions. YWorks focuses on promoting income growth and self-sufficiency among low-income women.

Annually, it provides workforce development resources, education, mentoring, and inter-agency referrals to 45 clients, helping them enhance their literacy, job readiness, and financial capabilities. By the end of the year, many participants gain access to comprehensive wraparound services—including healthcare, transportation, and mental health support—and work toward securing livable wage employment or industry credentials.

Both programs utilize community partnerships and evidence-based approaches to drive meaningful outcomes for women and youth in Southern Arizona. Arizona Legal Women And Youth Services: $600,000 Arizona Legal Women And Youth Services Location: Phoenix, Arizona 4) Developing technology and programs to restore civil rights and expunge criminal records.

The Arizona Legal Women And Youth Services (ALWAYS) program works to break down legal barriers for individuals with criminal records, helping them pursue employment, housing, and educational opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Services include assisting clients with petitions to seal or expunge criminal case records, commutation applications, requests for fingerprint clearance, and efforts to reduce felony charges to misdemeanors. Personalized legal assistance ALWAYS enables clients to move beyond the limitations of their past convictions.

Examples include helping a mother of three seek expungement for a minor offense and supporting another woman through the process of sealing her record and setting aside multiple convictions, resulting in life-changing improvements in employment and housing. The team also assists survivors, such as trafficking survivors working toward a nursing degree, in securing necessary clearances to rebuild their lives.

By focusing on practical legal solutions and compassionate advocacy, ALWAYS empowers individuals to pursue stability and new opportunities. Defenders of Children: $500,000 Location: Phoenix, Arizona 4) Developing technology and programs to restore civil rights and expunge criminal records.

The grant will enable Defenders of Children to expand both direct legal aid and training for advocates and community partners, addressing the growing need for legal support among justice-involved individuals. By leveraging its existing infrastructure and referral network, the organization is well-positioned to efficiently deliver these services, aiming for prompt client intake and case resolution, typically within 48 hours.

Arizona Family Health Partnership (AKA Affirm Sexual and Reproductive Health): $175,000 Arizona Family Health Partnership (AKA Affirm Sexual and Reproductive Health) Location: Phoenix, Arizona 4) Developing technology and programs to restore civil rights and expunge criminal records.

Arizona Family Health Partnership (Affirm Sexual and Reproductive Health) has developed an innovative model that integrates sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services with substance use disorder (SUD) recovery programs. This initiative will connect SRH counseling and SUD screening across clinical settings, using nationally recognized protocols and a trauma-informed, patient-centered approach.

The project will also establish standardized training, electronic health record templates, and build a statewide learning community that links clinicians for peer support and ongoing program improvement.

To ensure sustainability and expansion of this approach, Affirm will create a comprehensive program package—complete with clinical protocols, training modules, management tools, and a handbook—to facilitate adoption by other organizations. Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, the project will annually evaluate its progress and adjust to optimize effectiveness.

With strong support from community stakeholders and healthcare providers, the program aims to enhance healthcare access, reduce stigma, and deliver culturally competent care to Arizona’s most vulnerable populations. The ultimate goal is to create a replicable model that can be adopted statewide and beyond, ensuring lasting improvements in access and service integration.

Cihuapactli Collective: $600,000 Location: Phoenix, Arizona 1) Public and behavioral health initiatives for substance use prevention, treatment, and early intervention services. The Tonalpahqui Program centers on holistic healing for Urban Indigenous and BIPOC families by blending traditional Indigenous practices with modern therapeutic approaches.

The program offers an array of services, including talking circles, peer support, integrative health sessions, traditional ceremonies, and telehealth, all designed to nurture mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being within a culturally relevant framework.

With the goal of regenerative, family-centered healing, the program weaves together Western psychotherapy, social work, and Indigenous spirituality to support individuals, families, and communities. It emphasizes the importance of peer support, connection to the land through community gardens, and culturally rooted workshops, recognizing healing as an interdependent and collective process.

A key component is the integration of ceremony and land-based healing, alongside individualized care from licensed practitioners and structured peer support networks. By deepening these practices, Tonalpahqui aims to strengthen cultural identity, promote mental health, and foster resilience for participants and their extended communities.

Cochise Harm Reduction: $500,000 Location: Bisbee, Arizona 1) Public and behavioral health initiatives for substance use prevention, treatment, and early intervention services.

Cochise Harm Reduction (CHR) is implementing a comprehensive, peer-led initiative to address the intertwined challenges of overdose fatalities, infectious disease transmission, food insecurity, and recidivism among people who use drugs (PWUD) in rural Cochise County.

The program emphasizes harm reduction strategies, such as distributing naloxone and safer use supplies, conducting overdose prevention training, and offering mobile HIV/HCV testing.

Peer Navigators play a central role in connecting participants to essential services—including housing, employment, behavioral health care, and legal support—while also facilitating low-barrier referrals to medication-assisted treatment and ongoing health needs.

An additional focus of the initiative is to support justice-involved individuals through advocacy, individualized court support, and reentry services, working closely with local partners and authorities.

By embedding food distribution and legal education into outreach, CHR aims to address root causes of incarceration and poor health, ultimately promoting resilience, stability, and long-term well-being for Cochise County’s most marginalized populations. La Frontera Center Inc.: $500,000 Location: Tucson, Arizona 1) Public and behavioral health initiatives for substance use prevention, treatment, and early intervention services.

The Second Changes Are Real (SCAR) Project is dedicated to supporting justice-involved individuals in Pima County as they transition back into the community, with a focus on reducing recidivism and promoting long-term stability. By connecting participants to behavioral health and substance use treatment, housing resources, and employment readiness programs, SCAR addresses fundamental barriers to successful reintegration.

Core activities include pre-release engagement, peer coaching, access to treatment and housing support, employment training, and education on legal rights, including expungement and clearance card assistance. Each participant follows an individualized service plan, which is regularly reviewed for progress, while data is tracked for accountability and quality assurance.

Through operational efficiencies and consistent weekly outreach—whether in-person, by phone, or through community visits—the program maintains a high level of personalized support. This proactive, relational approach helps participants remain engaged with vital services, promoting accountability and long-term success within the community.

Marana Health Care Inc.: $385,691 Location: Marana, Arizona 1) Public and behavioral health initiatives for substance use prevention, treatment, and early intervention services. Marana Health Care’s Recovery Services Department is expanding peer-led support and navigation services to justice-involved and housing-insecure individuals.

The program emphasizes peer-led recovery coaching and trauma-informed reentry support, leveraging the experience of coaches with lived expertise to guide participants through substance use challenges, justice system transitions, and trauma recovery. Key services include individualized peer recovery coaching, coordination of referrals to housing and employment resources, and facilitation of domestic violence support groups.

The initiative also provides specialized workforce integration opportunities, offering hands-on job training in environmental services, transportation stipends, and mobile outreach to connect with underserved communities. Voices Of Change LLC. : $630,000 Location: Tucson, Arizona 1) Public and behavioral health initiatives for substance use prevention, treatment, and early intervention services.

Voices Of Change LLC aims to reduce recidivism and support recovery for Native American and justice-involved individuals by combining culturally relevant education and behavioral health support. The project focuses on providing tools and resources to help break the cycles of incarceration and addiction, with an emphasis on evidence-based outcomes and sustainable operations.

In its first year, the program seeks to serve 50 participants through the Sacred Traditions initiative across multiple cohorts in Pima County. The program’s impact will be measured using validated assessment tools and post-course interviews to track progress in self-efficacy and post-traumatic growth.

Additionally, the initiative will expand its facilitator capacity by offering culturally competent, no-cost training for those with lived experience, enabling broader access throughout Pima County and neighboring areas. Financial and operational sustainability is also a priority, with efforts focused on maintaining a cost-effective structure that covers staff salaries, program delivery, and essential operational expenses.

By building a strong foundation of data-driven results and committed staffing, Voices Of Change LLC strives to demonstrate its effectiveness and ensure ongoing support for its mission. Stay up to date with Vitalyst Receive our monthly e-newsletter, Spark News , to learn about upcoming events, catalyst programs, and ways to get involved.