REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
February 15, 2018
FROM: JERRY P. DYER, Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: JOE ALVAREZ, Lieutenant
Special Operations Section
SUBJECT:
Title
Actions pertaining to the Crisis Intervention Team services:
1. Authorize the Chief of Police to enter into an agreement with the County of Fresno Department of Behavioral Health to augment current capabilities of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) for co-location and co-response services for mental health related calls for service for individuals in crisis. This agreement will provide funding to the Fresno Police Department for Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) services within the City of Fresno.
2. ***RESOLUTION - 54th amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2017-165 appropriating $247,600 for the Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team. (Requires 5 affirmative votes) (Subject to Mayoral veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that Council authorize the Chief of Police to enter into and execute an agreement with the County of Fresno Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) to augment the current capabilities of the CIT to co-locate and provide dual response from both Fresno Police Department and DBH for mental health related services to the citizens of Fresno who are experiencing crisis related to mental health issues. In this agreement, funding for the CIT will be provided by the Mental Health Services Act, Prevention and Early Intervention Fund through Fresno County’s DBH. In addition, staff recommends Council adopt the 54th amendment to the AAR No. 2017-165 to appropriate $247,600 into the FY 2018 budget.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On September 1, 2017, the Fresno Police Department implemented the CIT to respond to calls for service involving non-violent subjects in crisis and those individuals suffering from mental illness. In partnership with licensed clinicians and case managers from DBH, the CIT will act as an entry point into mental health treatment, diverting those in need of treatment from the criminal justice system and initiating proactive contact with frequent system users to mitigate future calls for service. This agreement with Fresno County DBH will provide funding and services for individuals suffering from mental health issues. The agreement amount of $1,338,585.00 over the next 5 years will provide vehicles, equipment, and training for Fresno Police Department personnel. The contract outlines the terms and conditions of the partnership and responsibilities of each party.
BACKGROUND
Between June 1, 2016 and May 31, 2017, the Fresno Police Department responded to 26,698 calls for service of people reporting a significant mental health crisis to our 9-1-1 system. The reality is that nearly 40% of the calls our agency responds to have a mental health component and the number continues to rise each year.
To improve our ability to provide an effective field response for people in crisis, the Fresno Police Department and Fresno County DBH, through the Community Conversations work group, have developed the concept for a CIT. In September 2017, the Fresno Police Department formed the CIT unit and has been responding to calls for service for those individuals in crisis and with mental health needs. This contract allows for training, equipment and vehicles for four Officers and one Sergeant with the possible expansion of the CIT to eight Officers and one Sergeant.
The CIT is a co-located, co-response unit consisting of dual response by law enforcement and County DBH clinical and program staff. This collaboration will allow the CIT to respond to calls in which there is a behavioral health need to provide compassionate, client/family centered crisis intervention to persons and support systems that are experiencing behavioral health signs and symptoms. The CIT based in the Fresno Metro area will respond to 911 calls from the public and will be dispatched jointly to the scene, freeing up Fresno Police Department patrol officers for response to other incoming 911 calls. The CIT will jointly provide behavioral health interventions within a secure scene, will be able to respond to and handle the initial crisis, and will also be able provide post-crisis contacts, referrals, and linkages. The CIT vehicles, training, and equipment will be funded by the Mental Health Services Act, Prevention and Early Intervention funds through the Fresno County DBH.
Behavioral health services provided by County’s DBH may include, but are not limited to: screening, triage, assessment, crisis intervention, community referrals and linkages, and short-term/brief case management. Services shall also include community outreach, engagement, education, and prevention to those potentially in need of services for mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorders, the general public, emergency first responders, and other community agencies.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a “project” for the purposes of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section §15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because Crisis Intervention Team position is not subject to the competitive bidding process.
FISCAL IMPACT
Through this agreement, funding for vehicles, training, equipment and on-going costs of each up to the total agreement cost will be provided by the Fresno County DBH. Per the contract with Fresno County DBH, expenses will be claimed and reimbursed on a monthly basis. Personnel costs for police department employees are supported by the City of Fresno and included in the FY 18 general fund budget.
Attachments:
54th Annual Appropriations Resolution No. 2017-165
Agreement with County of Fresno Department of Behavioral Health
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Exhibit C
Exhibit C-a
Exhibit D