Title
Community Assistance Program (CAP) Expansion Implementation Report
Description
This report provides the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee with an update on the Community Assistance Program expansion efforts.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
In June 2021, the City Council approved $15 million in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 City Budget to expand the Community Assistance Program (CAP). CAP is a proven model to assist residents experiencing a traumatic event, behavioral health crisis, or other social welfare concerns. CAP is the foundation of our efforts to address the gap between traditional emergency and public safety services and the needs of the community. To meet the diverse needs of those we serve, the CAP team continues collaborating with community partners and connecting individuals with appropriate resources.
The CAP expansion has made considerable progress to achieve long-term program success. The plan is to increase the number of Crisis Response Units (CRUs) to ten and Behavioral Health Units (BHUs) to nine. A multidisciplinary team of City departments have been working to support this vision. To date, there are six CRUs (60 percent to target) and six BHUs (67 percent to target) in operation. The newest BHU, BH1, went into operation on February 17, 2025. CRU coverage is 24-hour coverage for five days weekly and 22-hour coverage for 2 days weekly. BHU coverage is 23.5-hour coverage daily.
Recruitment for Crisis Intervention Specialists is ongoing. The most current recruitment process concluded in February 2025. Multiple candidates have been offered positions pending final background check clearance. Thus far in CY 2025, the CAP has completed two onboarding sessions for new CAP staff including Crisis Intervention Supervisors, Crisis Intervention Specialists and Peer Support Specialists.
Hiring for Behavioral Health Dispatchers / Supervisors has concluded, and CAP achieved the goal of 24-hour daily coverage in the Fire Department Regional Dispatch Center on March 31, 2025. CAP continues to collaborate with Police Communications to provide training for the Police Department.
In February 2025, there were 234 calls transferred from Police Communications to CAP Behavioral Health Dispatchers. This is a 142 percent increase for the first two months of CY 2025 compared to the first two months of CY 2024. In February 2025, 47 percent of the calls for the BHUs were generated from a transferred call from Police Communications. The remaining 53 percent of the BHUs’ calls for service were either a co-response with police/fire or the call was generated by a BHU.
In February 2025, there were 496 calls for service for the BHUs. This is a 105 percent increase for the first two months of CY 2025 compared to the first two months of CY 2024. Of the 496 calls for service, the BHUs made contact with a customer(s) on 255 calls (51 percent). The remaining calls were either cancelled prior to arrival or the units were not able to locate the customer upon arrival on-scene. The average response time for the BHUs was 24 minutes. Single-unit CAP behavioral health response in February was 76% of total calls for service.
In February 2025, there were 416 calls for service for the CRUs. This is a 13 percent increase for the first two months of CY 2025 compared to the first two months of CY 2024. Of the 416 calls for service, the CRUs contacted a customer(s) on 216 calls (52 percent). The remaining calls were either cancelled prior or upon arrival. The average response time for the CRUs was 23 minutes. Single-unit CAP crisis response in February was 8% of total calls for service.
On March 20, 2025, the CAP was honored by receiving the Unsung Heroes Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Valley of the Sun. This award highlights community efforts that make a difference in mental health.
The CAP will continue to focus on filling remaining vacant positions to bring more units into service, investing in the development and training of staff, and streamlining processes to improve community outreach and services.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays, Deputy City Manager Ginger Spencer, and the Fire Department.