DRAFT
Community Crisis
Response Program
Receive an update on the work-to-date related to the development and implementation of a Community Crisis Response Program
Who We Are
● Founded in 1987
● Nationally recognized organization based in the Bay Area, California ● Focused on advancing positive health, economic, and educational outcomes in communities of color, utilizing:
○ Data & Research
○ Leadership Development & Training
○ Collaboration Building
○ Policy Innovation and Advocacy
2 Community Response Elements
● Respond to a broad range of calls (not solely identified mental health calls)
● Help residents access referrals and resources
● Engagement is voluntary (no arrest, no involuntary hospitalization) ● Reflects the unique needs and resources of diverse neighborhoods ● Teams recruited from the communities they serve
● Good jobs that honor the challenging work, enable team members to thrive
● Teams are experienced and well-trained, but not professional clinicians
3 Crisis Response Model: CAHOOTS (Eugene, OR)
● Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Street (CAHOOTS) began in 1989 ● Mobilize two-person teams
○ Medic (e.g., nurse, paramedic, or EMT)
○ Crisis Worker (training/experience in the mental health field) ● Address nonviolent crimes and non-emergent medical issues:
○ Non-violent call (not involving serious crimes)
○ Avoid costly ambulance transport
○ Emergency room treatment.
● Advantages
○ Saves money, lower arrests, hospitalizations
○ More appropriate, compassionate response
○ Safe for responders 4
Engagement explores residents’ experiences
● Interactions with emergency services
● Accessing emergency and non-emergency services
● Barriers to access
● Outcomes
● Community assets
● Unrecognized, under-developed, under-funded community resources ● Informal and community support during crisis
● Where and how residents receive information about resources and services
5 Work Performed To Date
● Literature and data review
● Stakeholder interviews city departments
○ councilmembers
○ community groups
○ service providers
● Survey draft
6 Next Steps
• Complete interviews with stakeholders
● Dispatch sit-along
• Develop informational materials
• Distribute survey (digital & in-person)
• Host focus groups and community meetings
7 April/May 2023 USC Report to City Council
Analysis of decision points:
● What calls/situations/crises? Qualitative and quantitative analysis ○ Types of calls, outcomes, geographic areas, community needs, needs of hihigh- frequencysers
○ Survey and community input
● County integration - especially A3 (Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime) ● Where to house CCRP - Non-profit, City (which department), County ● Staffing considerations
● Program Structure
● Community oversight & engagement
● Resources & Referrals - city & county-wide NGOs
● Common concerns: safety and liability
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