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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSS 2022-02-14 Item 1C - Update - Police Department Co-Responder ProgramIntroduction and Update on the Tukwila Police Department and Sound Health's Co -Responder Program Jackie Harris LMHC MHP MA in Applied Psychological Sciences Over 5 years in the Behavioral Health Field W O) Goal of Program The goal of this program is to put troubled non-violent people in the hands of behavioral health professionals and divert them from hospitalization or jail into support services. This work is intended to lower re -offense rates, reduce the incidence of incarceration, and result in fewer emergency department or psychiatric hospital visits. Improvements to Prior Interactions with Law Enforcement Officers would call the Mobile Crisis Team, often waiting hours due to call volume and demand, with mixed results. This left officers with no immediate resource to meet in the field to assess and offer resources to citizens in crisis. Where I can deploy immediately and build rapport with community members to help with follow-up contacts and further communications. Officers would send someone to the hospital for a Mental Health evaluation, who would leave before receiving an assessment by social workers, then return to the streets often with more contacts by the officers. I can write petitions and documentation that help the person in crisis be evaluated by the Social Workers and provide follow up connections that the hospital discharge planning may not provide. Improvements to Prior Interactions with Law Enforcement • Officers would have on-going contacts with no long-term solutions for the community members. I have the resource information and contacts to help connect community members to resources. Community members were less likely to interact openly with the police due to personal opinions or occurring situations. My dress, job title and connection with Sound have shown to be an asset to deescalating situations and more productive conversations about their needs and goals Officers had concerns over the new law implications on interactions with those in a crisis. I offer another form of de-escalation which decreases the levels of force needed in an interaction. On -Boarding I started August 15t 2021 in this position. We started with a few weeks of logistical training, learning the ins and outs of the station, programs, learning together what I will need to effectively complete my job objectives. • I attended patrol tactics, radio and police database specific trainings. I spent time riding along with patrol officers to learn the area and start finding calls that I could assist in. Trainings from Me I have talked with each section of Patrol, explaining my intended role and how I can best support officers and community members. I also explained how the involuntary treatment system works. Gave a presentation to Southcenter Mall store employees about the Co - Responder program and Mental Health. Gave a presentation to the Court Services on Suicidal Ideation and Prevention. Any chance I get to have a learning moment with officer or the public I take. Contacts per Day 25 20 15 10 August October January Days Worked • Total Contacts January is low for days worked due to contracting Covid. AIL Statistics 0.8 o.6 0.4 0.2 0 Contacts per Day August September October November December January Cases per Day Success Stories • Worked with an individual struggling with substances, following up with them and their social supports, giving them substance use resources and treatment facilities, which he entered voluntarily. Collaborating/coordinating care and creating warm hand-offs with behavioral health agencies and community members. • Assessed an individual that needed an acute level of care due to setting fires in the community and got them to the appropriate provider. • Worked with families of community members in crisis to get resources and explain the systems their beloved is now in. • Worked with the counseling department at Foster High School to help teens in suicidal crisis to get to a safer environment. An officer recommended an appropriate resource, they did not know about prior, to a family and passed the case onto me to conduct follow up. Conclusion It is an amazing opportunity to be able to provide this service to the City of Tukwila. I see the improvements and changes in those in the community I have interacted with as well as my peers here in the department. We have achieved multiple success stories in the last six months. I am excited to grow this program to new heights and continue to serve this beautifully diverse community.