North County Lifeline is proud to expand its working relationship with San Diego County Superior Court in Vista by hosting Homeless Court, a program that the courts initiated in San Diego in 1989 and which has been replicated all over California. The idea of this court is to help the homeless, or the previously homeless, clear misdemeanor offenses from their record. These offenses, if left unresolved, can make them ineligible for many public services, health care, and/or drivers licenses. These are all chronic barriers for these individuals to become self-sufficient. By having Homeless Court away from the Vista Court site, it reduces the anxiety of the participants and increases their likelihood of showing up for their hearing.

Helping North County residents to help themselves is a key principle of the services at Lifeline. Many of our programs and services are designed to divert children or individuals from incarceration or other legal consequences by assuring they have the treatment or supportive services they need to resolve the core or underlying problem that has caused them to become involved with the justice or child welfare system.