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The Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority and South King Fire and Rescue serve the majority of <br />jurisdictions in this application. Each of these agencies deploy a "FD Cares" program that consists of <br />firefighters and Mental Health Professionals that focus on following up on those who need mental <br />health services but are not currently in crisis. The "FD Cares" programs have agreed to be participants in <br />the South King County Mental Health Field Response Team Program specifically in the area of <br />prevention and follow-up. <br />The Valley Communications Center provides dispatch services for the participating cities in this program. <br />Valley Com is supportive of enhancing their operations to maximize the goals of this program. <br />Describe the link between the intended participants' needs and the programs ability to serve those <br />needs <br />The meetings mentioned above provide structure and information to allow the participants needs to be <br />discussed and acted upon. There is an existing mobile crisis unit within King County that provides <br />service when possible. This dedicated program includes Mental Health Care Coordinators and <br />coordinates with the "FD Cares" program to ensure the needs of the participants are met. <br />The value of a co -responder model has been proven in jurisdictions across the country, including many <br />in Washington State. Law enforcement agencies, along with mental health professionals, have the <br />expertise and vision needed to make this model a permanent part of their department. <br />Provide a description of the service area and included catchment area(s). <br />The service area consists of the Cities of Algona, Auburn, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Pacific, Renton <br />and Tukwila in South King County. South King County as a whole is 865 square miles. <br />Each of these cities has its own police department that provides structure and staffing for their specific <br />jurisdiction. The mental health co -responders will be centrally located within these jurisdictions to <br />account for timely travel time and response to calls. <br />What process will be used to determine protocols and processes for gathering information from <br />callers by the call takers and dispatchers <br />The involved agencies in this program are all served by Valley Communications Center. Valley Com uses <br />Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to take information on various types of calls. Valley Com has <br />specific SOP's for call takers and dispatchers when receiving calls for those who may have mental health <br />emergencies. Valley Com uses a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. In addition to radio <br />communications between dispatchers and officers, information is shared via in vehicle computers <br />allowing for officers to have accurate information in the field. <br />How many participants does the program anticipate it will contact and how many will it serve? <br />In 2019, 1,802 individuals in South King County were referred to the Behavioral Health & Recovery <br />Division's (BHRD) Crisis Commitment Services (CCS). CCS conducts assessments to determine if an <br />individual is a danger to themselves, a danger to others, or is gravely disabled to a point where he/she <br />needs to be involuntarily detained to a psychiatric hospital for 72 hours. <br />40 <br />