Funding will support the hiring of contracted mental health professionals (mhps) to support the king county sheriffs office crisis intervention team (CIT)/CO-responder program

Mhps offer a specialized service that will assist the king county sheriffs office fulfill the public safety need to address mental health services necessary for emergent and non-emergent calls that involve law enforcement. Contracted mhps will serve as subject matter experts who will work within the comprehensive kcso CIT/CO-responder program. Kcso is requesting a 48-month performance period. The king county sheriffs office (kcso) crisis intervention team (CIT) project would assist with the hiring multiple mhps that would be available to aid in crisis assessment and DE-escalation, assessment of the individuals for referrals to social services, and to follow-up with contacts and families after the crisis has abated. Contracted mhps will assist with directly addressing the mental health crisis occurring in king county. The utilization of grant with a deployable MHP would address the need to transition from a traditional law enforcement response to calls that have a component of behavioral health, social services, and/or substance abuse. This qualified individual would be able to coordinate service in the moment, for the individual in crisis. The king county sheriffs office (kcso) is also requesting funding to support overtime associated with training law enforcement officers about the specialized services mental health professionals offer and how best to utilize those services for the areas of service to assist residents in king county, washington.