Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Update from Be Well Orange County.
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From: Darin Lenyi, Chief of Police
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Karla Santillan, Business Services Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Receive and file the report.
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BACKGROUND
On February 8, 2023, the City Council approved an agreement with Be Well OC for mobile services to community members experiencing a mental health crisis.
Be Well utilizes a Mobile Response Team traveling around the community responding to a variety of issues such as homelessness, mental health crisis, and shelter needs. Trained clinicians conduct follow-up case management for our residents suffering from chronic mental illness preventing recurrent calls for service. If deemed necessary, Be Well staff transports individuals to facilities such as a crisis centers, rehabilitation centers, health clinics, or shelters.
The agreement with Be Well OC allows Westminster Police Department dispatchers to triage non-emergency and emergency calls and deploy the Be Well Mobile Response Team instead of Police or EMS when appropriate. The diversion of select calls within the broad categories of mental health to non-police and non-government professionals allows for a higher level of police service delivery, as officers are freed from the burden of these calls and available for emergency response, proactive enforcement, and community policing activities.
Phillip Franks, CEO of Be Well, and Lance Lindgren, Manager of Mobile Operations, will be presenting the annual report.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Be Well Orange County contract is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act allocation to the City. No additional appropriation is being requested.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Receive and file the update report presented by Be Well Orange County.
ATTACHMENTS
1. None
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Christine Cordon, City Manager