Sea Mar Community Health Centers launched the Co-Responder Program with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) In December 2023 and has seen early success.
The program aims to assist CCSO deputies responding to community members with underlying behavioral issues in crisis by sending trained mental health professionals to attend calls. The program was modeled after successful programs used by other law enforcement agencies in Washington, including the Vancouver Police Department, a press release by CCSO stated.
“Co-responders include dedicated behavioral health professionals available for direct scene responses or phone consultations with deputies dispatched to calls involving people in crisis,” CCSO stated. “If they respond to the scene, co-responders can make assessments, share a more profound knowledge of available community resources, and coordinate care with other providers. Deputies can work alongside co-responders and, if needed, will stay on the scene to ensure the safety of all involved. Depending on the situation, co-responders may continue the intervention without the deputy, allowing the deputy to return to service.”
The goals of this program include addressing behavioral health crisis needs for Clark County residents with an appropriate and timely response — including 911 calls and referrals from mental health professionals and peers.
As the program grows, it will provide options for crisis response interventions for calls that are routed through 911 and benefit CCSO by allowing for a behavioral health response team to remain on a call while the CCSO deputy can respond to other law enforcement calls.
Data from the program’s first three months show co-responders attended an average of approximately 16 calls per month. Of 47 total calls since December 2023, 25 calls turned to outreach with an average response time of 30 minutes for a co-responder to arrive once the call was initiated, according to CCSO data.
People in crisis accept resources provided by co-responders voluntarily and at the person’s discretion, the release stated. Deputies continue to investigate whether criminal legal actions are appropriate or whether the person in crisis meets the criteria for police detainment under the Involuntary Treatment Act.
“I firmly believe that our Co-Responder Program, uniting law enforcement with mental health professionals, is not just a partnership, but a lifeline for our community. It’s not only about enforcing the law. It’s about ensuring compassion and understanding prevail in moments of crisis,” Clark County Sheriff John Horch said in the release. “This program is essential in bridging the gap between justice and mental health care, reaffirming our commitment to safety and well-being for all.”
Carelon Behavioral Health is funding the pilot program with Sea Mar Community Health Centers providing the program.
Carelon Behavioral Health and funds from the Clark County Mental Health Sales Tax will collaboratively fund the program in the future. The Clark County Council recently allocated these specialized tax funds to the 2024 annual budget, CCSO stated.
