Shelton to place contracts for designated crisis responder on March 18 consent agenda; program paid by grant and external provider

The Shelton City Council on March 4 voted to place two contracts on the March 18 consent agenda to formalize a designated crisis responder (DCR) embedded with the Shelton Police Department.

City Manager Mark Ziegler told the council the city will formalize contracts with Olympic Health and Recovery Services, the organization providing the DCR, and with Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization, the administrative entity that provides funding channels. "Back in, oh, fall of 2022, one of the missions or goals of the homeless task force was to embed a designated crisis responder within the city of Shelton, particularly with the Shelton Police Department," Ziegler said. He said the first placement occurred in February 2023 through a grant with WCIA and that a gap in service existed after the previous DCR left; "a new individual has been hired, is currently in place and working in the city of Shelton as we speak," he said.

Ziegler described the contracts as "at no cost to the city": the city will provide office space and access inside the police department and the DCR has their own vehicle; salaries and wages will be paid through the grant and Olympic Health and Recovery Services, he said. The council moved and seconded placement of the two contracts on the March 18 consent agenda; the motion carried.

No public comment was recorded on the item. The contracts, if adopted on March 18, will reestablish the formal relationship between the city, Olympic Health and Recovery Services and Thurston Mason for DCR coverage and funding mechanisms.