January 24, 2023
Library and Community Services
DATE: January 24, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager – Community
Services
Patrick Seals, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT:
Community Crisis Response Program Update
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact for providing this report
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
July 26, 2022
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
On July 26, 2022, the City Council approved a contract
with Urban Strategies Council (USC) to conduct research and analysis of various Community Crisis Response
Program options and set forth recommendations.
Consistent with the agreement with USC, City staff and
the consultants would like to provide an update on the
progress of the work done.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECEIVE an update regarding the development of a
Community Crisis Response Program – Community
Services (LaShonda White/Patrick Seals 510-620-6512).
DISCUSSION:
Background
The Community Crisis Response Program (CCRP) began taking root in November 2020 amidst conversations within the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force (RPSTF).
Following a host of RPSTF round table forums and sub-committee meetings, as well as AGENDA
REPORT
January 24, 2023
City Council-approved budget allocations, City staff released a Request for Proposal (RFP) on April 15, 2022, and ultimately approved a contract with Urban Strategies Council (USC) on July 26, 2022, to assist with the implementation of a CCRP.
CCRP provides a diversion model to reduce reliance on police and criminal justice responses by offering a public health response. A proposed CCRP program would provide an opportunity to improve access to mental health and other community services in Richmond and would also navigate people to the right services at the right time by utilizing community responders with strong ties and connections to Richmond that can respond in a respectful and non-stigmatizing manner.
A major component of this work is to determine how the City of Richmond can collaborate with, and not duplicate efforts being deployed by Contra Costa Health Services’ (CCHS) Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime (A3) program. A3 provides timely and appropriate behavioral health crisis services to Anyone in Contra Costa County Anywhere at Anytime (A3) and is working to address the unmet behavioral health needs in Contra Costa County. CCHS is still implementing the A3 program and as services are expanded, the A3 Miles Hall Crisis Center will provide 24/7 behavioral health support.
Update on Work Completed
Currently, USC’s work-to-date is aligned with the elements outlined in their contract.
The initial task consisted of project initiation, scheduling regular check-in meetings, and data gathering (sharing relevant City and other relevant documents for review). The next phase consists of community engagement. City staff outlined an initial list of stakeholders that USC should engage including boards and commissions, community- based organizations, working groups, county agencies, city departments and staff, and elected officials. Additionally, City staff coordinated introductions and referrals as necessary.
Key tasks initiated and/or completed by USC include but are not limited to the following:
Reviewed literature and data review including Health in All Policies (HIAP), Richmond Fund for Children and Youth community needs assessment and strategic investment plan, and documents from the Reimagining Public Safety Taskforce. Met with City Council members Gayle McLaughlin and Claudia Jimenez and remain available to meet with other City Council members and the Mayor. Met with key Fire Department leadership including Fire Chief Angel Montoya, Battalion Chief Bontempo, Fire Marshall Eric Govan, and Assistant Fire Marshall Eric Munson, on fire prevention, education, and emergency response. Met with Richmond Police Department (RPD) Chief Bisa French and scheduled meetings with dispatch and other RPD staff.
Attended meetings and shared updates with the Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council, the Interdepartmental team focused on providing support to the unsheltered community, Reimagining Public Safety Task Force, Health Care for the Homeless, Matrix Consultants, Just Cities, HIV Education and Prevention Project of Alameda County (HEPPAC), Brighter Beginnings, Family Justice Center, Richmond Library, Office of Neighborhood Safety, Health Care for the Homeless,
January 24, 2023
Public Defender's office, Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Coalition, and Nepali Health Advocates.
Scheduled meetings with Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP), Richmond Employment & Training Division, Richmond Youth Works, SOS! Richmond, NAMI Contra Costa, Ya-NEEMA Healing Circle & Supportive Services, RCF Connects, and the Safe Return Project.
Next Steps
City staff remains engaged with USC’s team to arrange introductions and meetings with county representatives and staff connected with the A3 program. Furthermore, the County’s Coordinated, Outreach, Referral and Engagement Team (CORE) which experienced some delays, is expected to meet with the consultants in January.
Discussions to set focus groups hosting immigrant and BIPOC community leaders, as well as other stakeholder groups have begun. Utilizing the assistance of stakeholders, City staff expect to schedule a series of focus groups and disseminate a survey with communities likely to be underrepresented. Also, with continued follow-up on the areas already underway, consultants plan to develop engagement and outreach to the business community. A draft survey was recently delivered to the City for approval and coordinated dissemination.
Additional next steps for USC include, but are not limited to:
1. Ongoing interviews with key city and county staff and other external entities (e.g., Contra Costa Health Services)
2. Developing and conducting a survey and response analysis
3. Conducting focus groups
4. Hosting one to two community meetings
5. Analyze data from Matrix consulting regarding 911 calls for service
Final Deliverables
City staff and USC will provide additional information and be available to answer questions at the City Council meeting on January 24, 2023. A draft slide deck is attached and will be updated prior to the City Council meeting (Attachment 1).
Additional information about CCRP and updates to the attached slide deck can be found at https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4451/Community-Crisis-Response-Program.
City staff anticipates that USC will deliver and present a report to City Council with draft recommendations on how to develop and implement the CCRP program in Richmond in late March or April 2023.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – CCRP Slide Presentation