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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMobile Crisis Response Unit Update (_ City of Huntington Beach 0. File #: 21-225 MEETING DATE: 3/15/2021 Mobile Crisis Response Unit Update City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 1 Printed on 311012021 powered by Leg,sar'° HB's Mobile Crisis Response Program Overview C.A. R. E. — Crisis Assessment Response Effort City Council Meeting March 15, 2021 MHUN SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNICATION Meeft Deb: /5�2/ Agwlde rbm No.: �( �21',Z,�S) �i 7 7n'Tl� ;`-,�` r,70-t The Problem Nearly 40 Mental Health / Homeless Calls For Service... Every Day! • Annually, the City's Police Department responds to —14,500 calls for service where mental health and / or homelessness are the primary cause for our deployment — 2,500 calls annually involve mental health related issues — 12,000 calls for service involve homelessness, where mental illness is often a primary cause AV • Combined, these calls constitute approximately Mental Illness and Policing- Police 10% of all Police Department calls for service •fficers are often the hi i responder peopleinvolving — As societal issues have become increasingly complex, rather than developing new service lines, police departments have been asked to address issues outside of traditional crime response The Impact 4,000 Hours Needed Annually... For Mental Health Calls Alone • For the 2,500 calls for service that involve mental health issues, our standard protocols results in an estimated 3,925 hours of police officer response time each year — Each mental health call requires at least two (2) responding officers, and takes an average of 47 minutes to address — An officer's presence can escalate already volatile situations, increasing the potential for use of force • Response plan requires police officers to conduct an in-field evaluation and assess options — If patient voluntarily elects mental health evaluation, officers then arrange for transportation — If patient does not volunteer, officers have several options > Orange County Mental Health Psychological Evaluation Team (PET) — often lengthy response time > Orange County Mental Health Crisis Assessment Team (CAT) — often lengthy response time > Officers transport via ambulance or patrol car to hospital emergency room — Officers required to remain in the E.R. until an appropriate bed is identified and secured — Officers transport via ambulance / squad car to lock down facility > Most often medical clearance is needed, and patients under the influence are denied admittance until sober 3 The Frustration For Drug / Alcohol / Addiction Issues, Police Have Limited Response Options • For associated drug / alcohol / addiction calls, police officers have limited options — Officers have to assess the situation and determine if the issue is a mental health concern or a criminal offense — Although highly trained, police officers lack the clinical expertise necessary for accurate determination • If the call is mental health related, response program described previously is deployed • If offense is criminal, officers use discretion to determine if arrest is warranted / appropriate — Often, arrest is a short-term fix for a long-term, chronic problem — As an alternative to arrest, officers can suggest and offer resources to services > Traditionally not a timely solution for the individual or family > Officers often unfamiliar with the array of services available > Depending on person's access to insurance or alternative coverage (SSI, Medicaid), resources will differ > Police are not necessarily aware of an individual's history 4 The Result Increased Risk For All Involved, A Drain On Resources, & Poor Outcomes ROLE OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ENCOUNTERS MENT ADVOCACY CENTER EST. 7.9 MILLION AMERICAN ADULTS WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS 1 IN 4 OF ALL FATAL POLICE ENCOUNTERS 11N 5 OF ALL JAIL OR PRISON INMATES 1 IN 10 OF ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSES �aw. ^�G The Potential Solution HB C.A.R.E. — Crisis Assessment Response Effort • Rather than continue to deploy police officers to non-exigent mental health, drug, addiction, wound care and homeless related calls for service, staff has been exploring the creation of a mobile crisis response program — Such an effort would not only lead to better outcomes, but would serve as a force multiplier by potentially freeing police officers from having to respond to —14,500 calls for service annually • C.A.R.E. involves the development of a non-sworn, contracted, 3rd party response team to assist individuals experiencing a crisis — Mobile: vehicle based team — Crisis: mental health, substance abuse, addiction, wound care, homelessness — Response: non-violent calls are diverted from the police to the C.A.R.E. Unit — Intervention: 5150 holds, voluntary committals, psychiatric services navigation — Rehabilitation: detox services, addiction treatment (outpatient, inpatient) — Case Management: in-home or clinical follow-up, with family assistance and support Benefits To C.A.R.E. Approach • Relieves police personnel to conduct proactive policing, crime prevention and handle other calls for service • Operator will conduct case management and follow-up care • Professionally trained staff to address mental health, substance abuse, wound care, and homeless response issues - • Ability to timely and appropriately respond to these incidents •� • Intent is to find long-term, preventive, and permanent solutions to chronic illness & addiction • Reduces likelihood for escalation, violence & resulting use of force C.A.R.E. Program Currently Under Development • Staff is coordinating a RFQ process to identify a service provider to help develop our mobile crisis response program — Selected applicant will work with staff on development of overall response program details • Partnerships being cultivated with various entities to support C.A.R.E. — Huntington Beach Hospital > HBH has agreed to serve as a LPS designated facility for the City to transport patients for mental health evaluation and treatment through our C.A.R.E. initiative — Orange County Health Care Agency > C.A.R.E. being coordinated to integrate with Orange County's broader mental health / addiction treatment programs • Restricted funding sources identified to pay for first year pilot program project with C.A.R.E. 9 Models Similar To C.A.R.E. Demonstrate Proof Of Concept • Multiple mobile crisis response programs are currently operational throughout the country - Cahoots: Eugene, OR - STAR: Denver, CO - IMPACT: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - Mobile Crisis Support Team: Sacramento, CA CAHOOTS r i r Next Steps • Complete RFQ vendor review process in March 2021 • Bring operating contract forward for City Council consideration in April 2021 • Refine partnership arrangements with OC Health Care Agency and HB Hospital Questions?