Advocates for an Atlanta nonprofit that works to keep some of the city’s most vulnerable residents out of jail are celebrating after the city council pushed back on an attempt by the mayor’s office to not extend its contract.
Moki Macias, executive director of the Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative, or PAD, said she’s relieved by the Atlanta City Council’s decision to extend its contract for another two years and $5 million.
“We’re really looking forward to continue serving our community and to continue growing this effort throughout the city so that more people who are struggling to survive out on the street are responded to with care instead of with punishment,” Macias said.
Since 2017, PAD has helped connect those living in extreme poverty or in the midst of a mental health or substance use crisis with community-based services. However, its future appeared to be in jeopardy when just a few weeks ago Mayor Andre Dickens’ office initiated a secret, invite-only bidding process for diversion services after the city had already awarded the contract to PAD and then didn’t invite the group to participate.
Read this story now for free
To continue reading, sign up for our newsletter and get unlimited access to WABE.org
You can select your preferences for news and local content. We will never share your email address. Learn how your newsletter sign-up will support WABE and Public Media
