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County ratifies contract to continue co-responder emergency mental-health services
Summary
The Board approved a contract to continue an emergency mental-health co-responder program through 2025, funded by state/grant funds and designed to provide remote or in-person behavioral-health support when deputies respond to crisis calls.
The commission ratified a contract April 8 to continue funding for a co-responder emergency mental-health service operated by Frontera (consultant Charlie Davis) to provide 24/7 behavioral-health support to law enforcement responses. Commissioners heard a presentation that outlined program history, grant funding, and short-term funding gaps.
Public-safety presenters said the program provides co-responder services either in person (when available) or via technology (video calls) alongside deputies when they face mental-health crises that are not criminal incidents. The service manager said the program reduces use-of-force risk, provides aftercare referrals and follow-up, and can reduce liability exposure for responding agencies. Commissioners asked about grant overlap, continuity of coverage and long-term sustainability; presenters said a recent grant runs through Dec. 31, 2025, and additional state-level grant opportunities and county budget requests could make the program sustainable.
Why it matters: The program supplements rural law enforcement response to mental-health crises, offers triage and linkage to services, and can reduce downstream costs and liability for counties with limited local behavioral-health infrastructure.
Provenance: Staff presentation and roll-call approval at the April 8 board meeting.
