Title
Recommendation to Receive a Twelve-Month Update on the Community Assessment Response and Engagement (CARE) Team Pilot Program and Transition the Program from a Pilot to an Ongoing Program. (Fire 10032270)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Alameda Fire Department (AFD) Community Assessment Response and Engagement (CARE) Team began delivering services on December 16, 2021 and is funded through June 30, 2023. The CARE Team consists of trained AFD personnel staffing a program-dedicated vehicle on a 24/7/365 basis to provide services within the City of Alameda (City) related to mental health emergencies. The CARE Team staff consists of a licensed Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) trained in de-escalation and behavioral health. The CARE Team triages and assesses clients to assist them with navigating the best path forward in obtaining needed services. Additionally, through the contract with the City, Alameda Family Services (AFS) provides real-time case consultation for the field units, clinical field response when needed, and case management/follow-up support for Care Team clients.
The CARE Team has proven its effectiveness during the 12-month pilot and responded to a total of 1,146 requests for service. In collaboration with AFS, the program assisted many clients with navigating their situations and providing a positive path forward.
This report provides data collected (detailed in Exhibit 1) as part of a comprehensive 12-month evaluation (December 2021 to December 2022) of the CARE Team program delivery model.
Staff recommends that the CARE Team be transitioned from a pilot to an ongoing program serving the Alameda community with comprehensive crisis mental health services. This would require allocating General Fund funding during the Fiscal Year (FY) 23-25 budget process as well as seeking additional local, state, or federal funding or financial reimburs...
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