During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the ongoing implementation of the county-wide mental health crisis response initiative, known as ARI (Access, Response, and Intervention). The meeting highlighted the importance of community involvement and collaboration among various departments to ensure the program's success.

Scott, a key contributor to the initiative, reflected on the progress made and emphasized the need for patience as the program develops. He acknowledged the contributions of the community board, county manager, and staff, noting that transformation requires a collective effort and relationship-building throughout the process. Scott pointed out that power must be shared with the community to facilitate meaningful change.

The discussion also clarified the scope of the mental health crisis response, which operates across several cities, including New Brighton, Moundsview, Maplewood, and Shoreview, among others. However, some areas, such as White Bear Lake and Lauderdale, are not currently included in the program. Officials explained that the public health response is distinct from embedded social workers who work with law enforcement, emphasizing that the mental health crisis team operates independently, responding to calls from various service points without direct coordination with police.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue sharing updates on the ARI initiative, reinforcing the importance of community engagement and the need for ongoing discussions about potential collaborations with law enforcement in the future.