When California voters approved Proposition 36 in November 2024, counties across the state faced the challenge of quickly building a new court-mandated treatment pathway for individuals with multiple drug-related offenses. In Orange County, that work began even before the measure officially passed.
Anticipating voter approval, Orange County's Collaborative Courts brought together the Health Care Agency (HCA), the District Attorney's Office, and the Public Defender's Office to develop an implementation plan. Within weeks, the County established a dedicated Proposition 36 court, created new workflows, developed required forms, and built the infrastructure needed to launch the program.
The challenge was significant. Proposition 36 was an unfunded mandate, meaning no state funding was initially provided for implementation. HCA relied on existing staff, who took on additional responsibilities ranging from clinical evaluations and report writing to court appearances and extensive coordination with partner agencies. The law took effect on December 18, 2024, and Orange County began conducting evaluations just nine days later, on December 27. Since then, Orange County has emerged as a statewide leader in Proposition 36 implementation.
In 2026, the County received $4.9 million in time-limited funding, followed by an additional $1.8 million to expand program capacity and cover treatment costs not eligible for reimbursement. These investments allowed HCA to establish a dedicated Proposition 36 treatment team consisting of a service chief and 10 clinical staff members. Funding has also supported the expansion of recovery residence and residential treatment capacity, strengthened data collection and reporting efforts, and laid the groundwork for a public-facing dashboard to track program outcomes.
The impact has been substantial. Since launching the program, Orange County has evaluated 1,361 individuals for Proposition 36 services, with 662 choosing to participate. Today, 413 individuals remain actively engaged in the program and working toward recovery.
Orange County's rapid and successful implementation has drawn attention from counties across California. The County has provided guidance, shared best practices, and offered technical assistance to jurisdictions building their own Proposition 36 programs.
Now, less than two years after implementation began, Orange County is celebrating another important milestone. On November 5, 2026, the County recognized its 100th and 101st Proposition 36 graduates, marking a significant achievement for the program and the individuals who have worked hard to complete it.
This milestone reflects not only the dedication of the graduates, but also the commitment of the clinicians, court staff, attorneys, treatment providers, and program partners who helped build the program from the ground up. Their collective efforts have created new opportunities for individuals seeking recovery and a path toward long-term stability.
Congratulations to the 100th and 101st graduates, and thank you to everyone whose hard work and collaboration have made Proposition 36 a success in Orange County.
Links in this section relate to Body