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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSS 2021-04-19 Item 1C - Update - Regional Efforts Toward Mental Health ServicesCity of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Community Services and Safety Committee FROM: Chief of Police Eric Dreyer BY: Chief of Police Eric Dreyer CC: Mayor Ekberg DATE: April 13th, 2021 SUBJECT: City of Tukwila Regional Partner Co -Responder Program ISSUE The Tukwila Police Department is partnering with regional agencies for on-call Mental Health Professional (M HP) co -responder services. BACKGROUND In accordance with the city's stated goals of a High -Performing & Effective Organization and a Positive Community Identity & Image for all Tukwila community members, the Police Department recognizes that there is a need for collaboration of services when it comes to mental health and chemical addiction issues within the City of Tukwila. Our objective is to reduce the number of mentally ill and chemically dependent interventions that requires jail and hospitalizations. The police department also recognizes the need for diversion of mentally ill and chemically dependent youth and adults from entering the Criminal Justice System. Co - responder programs throughout the nation have been effective in reducing the number of people entering the Criminal Justice System, while providing appropriate resources for their illness. The department needs to provide services that provide the appropriate high-quality services for our community members. DISCUSSION The South King County regional co -responder program is a collaborative approach designed to address the City of Tukwila's desire to ensure Tukwila's mentally ill and chemically dependent residents have access to community treatment in lieu of incarceration for non-violent misdemeanor offenses where the individual is identified by officers and confirmed by a mental health professional (MHP) to be demonstrating behaviors symptomatic of a mental disorder and/or co-occurring disorder (combining mental health behavioral disorders with substance use disorders). The program accomplishes this goal by: 1) mental health professionals who respond to calls when officers ask for professional (consultive) assistance by the MHP's; 2) working with and educating officers in traditional methods employed by mental health professionals to de- escalate individuals demonstrating behavioral health concerns as well as assist in providing support to identify symptoms stemming from mental illness versus chemically altered behaviors; 3) ensure appropriate community services are accessed to facilitate diversion, including community after-care services are available to individuals diverted from incarceration. FINANCIAL IMPACT There is no financial impact at this time, as this program is 100% grant funded. However, the program is only supported with funds for a six-month period. The regional partners will be exploring funding options to continue the services, dependent on the success of the program. 37 38 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 2 RECOMMENDATION Information Only ATTACHMENTS South King County Co -Responder Project Narrative https://tukwilawa.sharepoint.com/sites/mayorsoffice/cc/Council Agenda Items/Police/Co-responder memo 04-13-21.doc South King County Co -Responder Project Narrative Protect Description The South King County Co -Responder Program will be a partnership that includes the police departments of Algona, Auburn, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Pacific, Renton and Tukwila along with the King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD) and King County Behavioral Health agencies to provide a coordinated response to those in South King County experiencing mental health crisis and emergencies. This partnership between law enforcement and mental health professionals is the collaborative effort necessary to respond to community members in need. This shared approach has been shown to improve engagement with people experiencing crises and reduce the rate in which individuals experiencing mental health crises are incarcerated. The mental health co -responders will engage directly with officers from the participating law enforcement agencies and will be employees of a licensed behavioral health agency. The co -responders will be housed at the Des Moines Police Sub -Station located at 272nd and Pacific Highway South. This location borders three of the participating agency jurisdictions. The co -responders may also be provided with desk space at participating agency stations as necessary to travel the South King County region effectively. There will be an assigned Assistant Chief or Commander from one of the participating agencies to serve as the Program Supervisor, to provide program oversight, data tracking and coordination. The Program Supervisor will report to the Program Manager, who will oversee the budget and program development. The Program Manager will report to the program team, which consists of the Chief of each participating agency and representatives from the Behavioral Health agency. How does the approach comply with HB 2892? The approach taken by the South King County Police Departments and King County with this co - responder program reflects the intent of the Mental Health Field Response Program as described in HB2892, including but not limited to, Section 1, paragraphs 2 and 3 and the Purpose Statement on page 1 of this grant application. This approach provides for a wraparound plan with dedicated Mental Health Professionals and Mental Health Navigators available to law enforcement during work hours and in an on-call capacity. This coordinated response will provide for the ability to safely and sensitively respond to people in crisis. The goal is to provide crisis intervention services and refer to and promote treatment, and when possible avoid incarceration and hospitalization. The majority of the officers from the participating agencies have completed the Crisis Intervention Training through the State of Washington 8 and 40 hour courses. Members of the participating Law Enforcement Agencies have been meeting with Representatives of the Washington State Legislature — including their staff, Behavioral Health service providers and the King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division to develop a comprehensive plan to safely respond to and prevent the deeper involvement of vulnerable individuals in the justice system. The addition of Mental Health Navigators will assist those in need with preventative and follow-up services once the initial call from crisis services is resolved. 39 The Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority and South King Fire and Rescue serve the majority of jurisdictions in this application. Each of these agencies deploy a "FD Cares" program that consists of firefighters and Mental Health Professionals that focus on following up on those who need mental health services but are not currently in crisis. The "FD Cares" programs have agreed to be participants in the South King County Mental Health Field Response Team Program specifically in the area of prevention and follow-up. The Valley Communications Center provides dispatch services for the participating cities in this program. Valley Com is supportive of enhancing their operations to maximize the goals of this program. Describe the link between the intended participants' needs and the programs ability to serve those needs The meetings mentioned above provide structure and information to allow the participants needs to be discussed and acted upon. There is an existing mobile crisis unit within King County that provides service when possible. This dedicated program includes Mental Health Care Coordinators and coordinates with the "FD Cares" program to ensure the needs of the participants are met. The value of a co -responder model has been proven in jurisdictions across the country, including many in Washington State. Law enforcement agencies, along with mental health professionals, have the expertise and vision needed to make this model a permanent part of their department. Provide a description of the service area and included catchment area(s). The service area consists of the Cities of Algona, Auburn, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Pacific, Renton and Tukwila in South King County. South King County as a whole is 865 square miles. Each of these cities has its own police department that provides structure and staffing for their specific jurisdiction. The mental health co -responders will be centrally located within these jurisdictions to account for timely travel time and response to calls. What process will be used to determine protocols and processes for gathering information from callers by the call takers and dispatchers The involved agencies in this program are all served by Valley Communications Center. Valley Com uses Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to take information on various types of calls. Valley Com has specific SOP's for call takers and dispatchers when receiving calls for those who may have mental health emergencies. Valley Com uses a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. In addition to radio communications between dispatchers and officers, information is shared via in vehicle computers allowing for officers to have accurate information in the field. How many participants does the program anticipate it will contact and how many will it serve? In 2019, 1,802 individuals in South King County were referred to the Behavioral Health & Recovery Division's (BHRD) Crisis Commitment Services (CCS). CCS conducts assessments to determine if an individual is a danger to themselves, a danger to others, or is gravely disabled to a point where he/she needs to be involuntarily detained to a psychiatric hospital for 72 hours. 40 Of the 1802 referrals to CCS for South King County residents in 2019, 78% (1411 of 1802) were assessed for potential detention. Of those numbers, 71% (or 1001) were involuntarily detained or voluntarily hospitalized. 21% of those referred to CCS (1,802 of 8,680) were individuals residing in South King County and another 27% (2,326 of 8,680) were missing address data. Among those referral's, 64% came from health care facilities, 21% from family and community members and 9% were from the criminal Justice system. Although this data reflects the number of South King County residents who were experiencing a mental health crisis in the community and needed evaluation to determine whether psychiatric hospitalization was necessary, the majority of the cases did not involve law enforcement. For those cases that did involve law enforcement, it is anticipated that had this mental health co - responder team been in place in South King County in 2019, the overall number of referrals to the CCS team could have been reduced. It is anticipated that the mental health co -responder team could have assisted some of these individual in avoiding either jail or psychiatric hospitalization. Explain the training approach to be implemented throughout the program for the law enforcement officers, call takers/dispatchers and behavioral health personnel to operate successfully and competently within your agency. The training approach will consist of the Program Supervisor partnering with supervisors from the involved law enforcement agencies, King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division, the co - responder employer behavioral health agency, and Valley Communications Center to develop a comprehensive training plan and standard operating procedures to be presented to all personnel involved. Utilizing the data collection tool, Open Lattice, as described in the grant description, will be the best provider of possible resources for the individual experiencing the crisis in real-time. Utilizing this in response to calls, and following up with the shareable Crisis Template, will be tantamount in operation success and training within the Co -Responder Program. Describe the steps the program will take to transition diverted individuals from short-term services to more permanent community support services In discussions with regional Mental Health Professionals, on best practices — the following are the steps our Co -Responder program would take in diverting individuals in crisis from short-term to more permanent community support services. • The first and most pertinent step is de-escalation and reducing the immediate crisis. • The second primary goal it to assess the individual for short term needs, such as food and shelter. • The third goal is to connect clients to providers and resources that are best suited to their immediate and long term needs. • Creating the connections to the clients needing care often involves transporting clients to those long term providers, and making care plans in conjunction with support systems to minimize future 911 crisis needs. 41 • Clients can be high utilizers of 911 and their support systems. Long-term consistent solutions will minimize future 911 crisis needs and assist in stabilization. What wraparound linkage services and resources will be provided in the program and how are these consistent with evidence -based practices? Utilizing the Mental Health Professional (MHP) at the scene alongside law enforcement will ensure an immediate and appropriate response. The individual in crisis will be provided the tools needed in a crisis to de-escalate and plan for next steps. The individual will be provided the least restrictive intervention, so long as the safety of the individual, law enforcement, and the MHP is maintained. The model will also be able to access the evaluation of a Crisis & Commitment Services Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) should the situation rise to a level of needing assessment for involuntary detention (psychiatric hospitalization). The co -responder model seeks to increase earlier and more efficient intervention for community members with mental illness who may come into contact with law enforcement. This is consistent with evidence -based practices as it develops a positive and trusting relationship between the law enforcement officers and the mental health professionals involved. This continual partnership will help change the narrative and create a more holistic and sensitive intervention to crises. Staffing the Co -Responder team by utilizing community based behavioral health agencies currently established in South King County will ensure individuals in need will be provided ongoing support by providers who are an integral part of the community and know the needs of individuals and families across the South King County region. Being mindful of collaboration with BIPOC organizations and peer recovery and support organizations will be integral. The greater outreach community is encountering these individuals on a regular basis and often do not always have the skill to disrupt the cycle of untreated mental illness, substance abuse and chronic homelessness. Project Need Vulnerable community members are increasingly not provided the immediate care and attention they need. Often, support is provided through various providers, through the criminal justice system, and frankly too late. Individuals experiencing homelessness, those with cognitive impairments, mental health and addiction struggles, as well as countless other circumstances, need immediate response, support and care. Providing immediate intervention, followed by connection to long term care and services will provide a sustainable model for this Co -Responder program. Often Police and Fire Personnel's role is to intervene immediately, de-escalate and respond appropriately to each scene. Vulnerable community members need the wrap around care to continue beyond that one crisis or call. It will be a collective effort by our community- for our community. This model will be sustainable and will be the long term solution for those who need more support. Prolect Personnel The South King County cities partnering in this effort will utilize their Police Departments to collaborate with the Mental Health Professionals funded by this grant to respond to a significant need for crisis 42 intervention and de-escalation. The first response alongside police will be the Mental Health Professional. (MHP) who will be trained in de-escalation and crisis response. The two Navigators will provide follow up care and connection to treatment and will support the individual through the immediate crisis and into longer term care, if possible. Co -Responders • Mental Health Professional — provides crisis intervention, de-escalation, behavioral health consultation, and necessary evaluation on scene, alongside PD. • Navigator- Two navigator positions will work directly with the MHP to assist in the crisis intervention and develop a treatment plan for the individual to receive follow-up services after the resolution of the crisis. They will perform a liaison role and will aid in connecting those in crisis to resources and necessary follow-up and/or treatment. They will be housed at the Des Moines substation alongside the MHP. They will assist in follow up needs, crisis prevention planning, and help first responders in South King County to address the needs of individuals with behavioral health issues. The Navigators will work with those identified by police and fire personnel as being at risk of crisis or arrest. The goal will be diversion from incarceration. The Navigator will serve as a resource for the first responders. • *Designated Crisis Responder *- available to assess for involuntary commitment to a psychiatric hospital, if necessary, if the individual is a danger to themselves, others or gravely disabled • Supervisor — A selected behavioral health agency will supervise the MHP and Navigators positions. • Assistant Chief / Commander — Each area Police Department will serve as a program manager/contact for that specific department. • Lead Agency Program Manager — Chief Ken Thomas, Des Moines PD. Chief Thomas will oversee Des Moines police officers and support the MHP and Navigator positions. • South King County Police Departments - Algona, Auburn, Federal Way, Kent, Pacific, Renton, and Tukwila Police Departments. These partners will utilize the common MHP and Navigators in their response to mental health crises. Partnership and Collaboration how will the program cultivate the development of a coordinated system of care that integrates all services (referral, intake, case planning, service delivery, case management, evaluation) and includes a feedback loop to all program partners? The Co -Responder model will implement a coordinated system of care to respond to the potential mental health needs. • Assessments of mental health conditions, including safety/risk assessment • Guided support in accessing community resources • The MHP and Navigator will be a liaison between the individual with a behavioral health issue, the community partners necessary, and the police. • The MHP and Navigator will report back to the BHR Supervisor and collaborate with the Assistant Chief/Commander representative from the specific jurisdiction. • The MHP and Navigator will maintain thorough records to ensure access and communication amongst all regional partners. 43 • Case planning and troubleshooting will occur within each jurisdiction, but also in a regional capacity with monthly meetings and consultations. • Continue to strive for better — with guidance, support, and feedback from partners. Services Describe the partnerships proposed for stabilization, observation, disposition and custodial transfer. The co -responder model will utilize our community agency partners in our wraparound approach to the best possible outcomes for individuals in crisis. Consultation will occur across dispositions, and there will be open lines of communication amongst the team. • What is the process for assessing participants for danger to self and others; what assessment resources will be used? The behavioral health staff (MHP and Navigators) will be trained in crisis intervention, including the assessment to determine if one is a danger to themselves or others. Staff will have access to the Crisis & Commitment Services team for consultation and training resources. Assessment documents will be implemented to ensure standardization and validity of assessments. • Explain which resources will be engaged for participants who are considered "high utilizers" upon referral, and ongoing. Individuals who are identified as high utilizers of behavioral health services and the legal system will receive case consultation to develop a care plan that supports intervention to reduce the frequency of contact with law enforcement and/or crisis services. Describe how individualized case plans will be developed and updated and how this information will be shared with the participant and the Mental Health Field Response Team. The Co -Responder model links the entire South King County region in a coordinated, effectual response. The MHP and Navigators can relay pertinent information to community service agencies and can provide the individual the best treatment possible. The Co -Responder team would have weekly debrief meetings, in which all cases and calls would be discussed, analyzed and reviewed. 44