Karin Kim Jensen

At the September 21st City Council meeting, the Council authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Alameda Family Services (AFS) to provide clinician services to the City’s mental health crisis support pilot program.

Like other cities, Alameda is exploring a different way of responding to individuals in mental health crises. Currently, sworn Alameda Police Department (APD) personnel are the sole authority who may assign a 5150 psychiatric hold.

A 5150 hold refers to the California Welfare and Institutions Code that allows a qualified officer or clinician to confine a person involuntarily (against their will) if they are experiencing a mental disorder that makes them a danger to themselves or others.

In July, the City Council authorized the City Manager to start a pilot program of alternative responses. As a result of this:

 Eighteen firefighters are receiving mental health response and crisis intervention training.

 AFD and APD are coordinating appropriate dispatch.

 The City will procure a low-pro¬file vehicle labeled Alameda Mobile Crisis Unit.

 The City is working with County Behavioral Health Services to authorize Alameda Fire Department (AFD) firefighter-paramedics to assign 5150 holds. Authorization is contingent on the City contracting with a licensed clinician.

In August, City staff issued a Request For Proposal (RFP) to secure clinician services. The City received one proposal from Alameda Family Services (AFS).

The AFS proposal’s goals are to:

 Develop a working relationship with and training for the AFD.

 Link individuals in crises with services.

 Follow up to ensure individuals engage with services.

 Reduce the number of 5150 holds.

 Reduce calls to 911 or other hotlines.

 Reduce incarceration of callers experiencing mental health crises.

The purpose of the Council meeting was to decide whether to go forward with Alameda Family Services as the clinician provider. AFD staff would manage crises; how¬ever, the clinician would provide real-time consultation, including for 5150 holds and client follow-up care.

City Staff recommended that Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with AFS for an amount not to exceed $500,000 for one year, with an option to extend for an additional year for a total amount not to exceed $1,000,000. This money would fund clinician services with 24/7 availability.

Mayor Ashcraft expressed concern that there was only a single proposal and suggested delaying the process to improve the RFP process to elicit further proposals. However, a dozen speakers, including a licensed clinical social worker, spoke compellingly in favor of Alameda Family Services, their qualifications and strong relationships in the community.

Since this is a pilot project, many further argued that staff could repair any program weaknesses found over the two years. Several speakers argued for the need for this program to proceed without further delay. Some invoked the memory of Mario Gonzalez, an unarmed 26-year-old Latino man, who died while under APD custody as evidence.

These arguments ultimately persuaded the mayor. The full Council unanimously voted to approve authorization along with amendments proposed by Councilmember John Knox White intended to ease tweaking the program as needed. The City now plans on collaborating with AFS and other experts to define metrics that will allow them to evaluate the pilot program’s success.