Healthy and Safe Communities

Summary of Objective Implementation Status

The Department of Health Services has developed a county-wide Mobile Crisis Services Regional Plan to support individuals who may be experiencing a behavioral health crisis, in line with the California Department of Health Care Services’ mandate to provide 24/7 mobile crisis services as a benefit in the Medi-Cal program. County staff submitted this plan to the State in October 2023, received feedback in November 2023, and presented to the Board of Supervisors the Mobile Support Collaborative in December 2023.

The Mobile Support Collaborative provides 24/7 mobile crisis services 365 days per year and consists of four (4) providers:

• InRESPONSE of Santa Rosa, operated by Buckelew Programs – in collaboration with DHS, the City of Santa Rosa, Catholic Charities, Humanidad Therapy and Services – comprised of a licensed mental health clinician, a paramedic, and a homeless outreach specialist, and supported by wrap-around support service providers. Although working in partnership with the Santa Rosa Police Department, the inRESPONSE team is unarmed and best equipped to support and provide mental health resources to individuals and families experiencing a crisis.

• CORE Team of Healdsburg, composed of a sworn officer and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist to respond to homeless, mental health, parking and neighbor dispute related calls, with the goal of improving outreach to marginalized communities, mental health, homeless call response, and creating a police culture centered around equity and fairness.

• SAFE Team, operated by Petaluma People Services Center and active in the communities of Petaluma, Cotati, and Rohnert Park, comprised of an Emergency Medical Technician and a Trained Crisis Worker. SAFE also utilizes the services of one on-call Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA)

• DHS Mobile Support Team, operated by the Behavioral Health Division of DHS in the remaining regions of Sonoma County since 2012, comprised of one team.

The Mobile Support Collaborative is currently active in Rohnert Park, Cotati, and Petaluma and will be available countywide beginning on 04/01/2024.

Key Milestone Update

In October 2023, DHS submitted the County’s Mobile Crisis Services Regional Plan to the State’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). DHS received feedback and comments from DHCS in November 2023, and in December 2023 presented to the Board of Supervisors the plan for the Mobile Support Collaborative. The Mobile Support Collaborative will be available countywide, 24/7 beginning April 1^st, 2024.

Coordination and Partnership Update

DHS has met and is working with partners such as Sonoma State University, the City of Santa Rosa, inRESPONSE, Catholic Charities, Humanidad Therapy and Services, Petaluma Police Department, and Petaluma People Services Center. The Mobile Support Collaborative takes part in regional planning and service coordination groups within the various geographic areas of the County (West, North South, Central and East), so as to improve partnerships with community providers, jurisdictions funding similar services and also healthcare and similar partners so as to improve the Mobile Support Team model.  This includes weekly Community Transitions to Care meeting with all community Hospitals and Clinics, Project Hope with City of Santa Rosa, NCS and weekly IMDT meetings bringing together the safety net departments. 

Community, Equity and Climate Update

The Mobile Support Collaborative is highlighted in Measure O communications to the public via a quarterly newsletter and press releases.  Mobile Support Collaborative staff connect with community, providers, and the public to promote and educate regarding the availability of these services.

The Mobile Support Collaborative will help to address racial disparities by providing a path towards help for mental health crises instead of routing individuals in crisis to Emergency Departments or jail.  It will also continue to provide accurate data and connect marginalized communities to services by increasing outreach and engagement opportunities.

Mobile Support Collaborative services will be available and conducted throughout the county and expanding to ensure geographic equity.  While not a main focus, Mobile Support Collaborative staff will minimize climate and environmental impacts of work by utilizing lease green vehicles.

Funding Narrative

In December 2023, in order to establish an expanded Mobile Support Team program supported by a 24/7 call center 1-800-746-8181 at the current Crisis Stabilization Unit site, DHS proposed and the Board of Supervisors approved 18.5 net new positions, $923,800 from Measure O Crisis Services from the $13.5 million estimated June 30, 2024 available fund balance for associated capital expenditures and $2,406,683 from Measure O, Federal Financial Participation, and Mental Health Services Act to finance the costs associated with plan.

The cities of Petaluma, Rohnert Park, and Cotati will soon begin to bill MediCal for services provided by the Mobile Support Collaborative. DHS will propose additional Measure O dollars municipalities’ need for ordering equipment until additional funding is made available.