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Washington to pursue 988 crisis-diversion MOU with Compass Health to reduce 911 load
Summary
Council workshop members moved the Compass Health 988 crisis-diversion memorandum of understanding to the city council for approval after staff said the program would transfer appropriate mental-health-related 911 calls to licensed clinicians at no cost to the city.
Washington city staff told the council workshop on Feb. 3 that the city plans to pursue a memorandum of understanding with Compass Health to route appropriate crisis calls to the provider’s 988 diversion team.
The item was presented as a crisis-diversion program that would “alleviate some of the stress that is put on first responders and the 911 system and the call takers regarding mental health,” and staff recommended forwarding the memorandum to the full council for final approval.
Why it matters: Staff said the service would allow communications staff to transfer qualifying calls to Compass Health clinicians 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, freeing police and EMS from many non-emergency mental-health contacts and reducing transport hours for responders.
Staff summary and evidence: Jennifer, speaking for communications, said the 988 diversion service answers transferred calls, provides licensed clinicians and can connect callers with medication refills, addiction treatment, housing resources and other supports. “There is no cost for this. It's just a service offered by Compass Health. They provide services in 26 counties in Missouri,” Jennifer said. She added the provider answers all calls transferred and that, year to date since August 2023, the 988 diversion received 28,541 transferred calls and only about 180 required law enforcement or EMS response.
Council action: Councilmember Packy moved and Briggs seconded a motion to send the item to council; the motion passed at workshop, and staff will present the MOU at the next council meeting for formal adoption.
Context and limits: Staff emphasized that calls would be transferred only when communications staff deemed it appropriate, and that Communications would ensure the transfer is live before disconnecting. The workshop discussion noted the program is a voluntary service offered by Compass Health and that there would be no direct cost to the city reported in the workshop materials.
Next steps: The workshop action forwards the MOU to the Feb. council meeting for formal consideration and adoption. If approved by council, staff said Communications would implement procedures to transfer qualifying calls to Compass Health while maintaining coordination with local responders.
