TO: Committee of the Whole - Public Safety and Human Services
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Police |
Darrell Lowe, Police Chief |
425-556-2529 |
|
Executive |
Malisa Files, COO |
425-556-2166 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
TITLE:
title
Alternative Crisis Response Update
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The staff report in Attachment A provides a detailed overview of Redmond’s evolving approach to non-law enforcement alternative response models. Since launching its Co-Responder Program in 2018, the City has steadily expanded its behavioral health service capacity. As an addition to the current program, staff recommends partnering with King County’s Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team to provide Redmond with 24/7 mental health response.
body
☐ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☒ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Through the budget process, Council allocated funds to alternative crisis response and requested staff keep them updated on organizational changes moving forward.
• Required:
N/A
• Council Request:
In 2018, the Police Department launched their co-response model, utilizing a mental health professional on police calls. In 2021, the City expanded to a tiered community health model called THRIVE including homeless outreach, mobile integrated health, and community care coordinators.
• Other Key Facts:
Through the budget process, the Council requested 24/7 non-uniformed services for those needing crisis care. In 2023, voters passed the King County Crisis Care Levy which established, among other things, mobile rapid response crisis teams designed to de-escalate mental health and substance use crises to provide immediate support and connect individuals to long-term care.
OUTCOMES:
To round out the City’s THRIVE program, staff is recommending partnering with King County’s Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team (MRRCT) to provide de-escalation services 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. MRRCT is equipped with two-person units, staffed by behavioral health professionals and peer counselors. The teams respond to incidents involving adults aged 18 and older experiencing mental health crises. The goal of the program is to provide the right response at the right time for individuals experiencing mental health or substance abuse crisis and need assistance. Please see description in Attachment B.
King County has placed a team in Redmond, stationed at the Together Center although there are other Crisis Teams countywide. All teams are a part of King County’s Sound Behavioral Health Program, and the teams are dispatched through 911, 988, or their direct line.
Utilizing King County’s services comes at no additional cost to Redmond as it is funded through the King County Crisis Care Levy. The diagram below illustrates the THRIVE 2.0 framework, integrating public safety, behavioral health, and outreach services under a centralized care coordination system to ensure warm hand-offs and continuity of care. Attachment C illustrates the continuity of care.
Definitions:
MIH - Mobile Integrated Health
CO-RES - Mental Health Co-Response
MRRCT - Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team
HS - Human Services
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
Currently community outreach has not been conducted.
• Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
MRRCT Services are funded through the 2023 King County Crisis Care Levy
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
N/A
Budget Priority:
Safe and Resilient
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
King County Crisis Care Levy
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
Item has not been presented to Council |
N/A |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
There are no time constraints in forming a partnership with King County, however once the partnership is established the City will have 24/7 crisis care response.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
If not approved, the City will continue to build out our own crisis care unit, but will not be able to staff a unit 24/7 given the resources allocated.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Alternative Response Team Update
Attachment B: Sound Behavioral Health Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team
Attachment C: Alternative Crisis Care Workflow