Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves CARES staffing expansion and ART grant to support outreach and reduce 911 calls
Summary
Council authorized two agreements to expand CARES staffing: an Association of Washington Cities grant reimbursing up to $111,001.78 to make the CARES position full time and an interlocal amendment with Olympia funding a full‑time CARES specialist. Staff reported CARES made 55 referrals through October and reduced repeat 911 calls for some clients.
Tumwater council authorized agreements to boost staffing for the CARES (Community Assistance Referral and Education Services) program and the city’s alternative response efforts.
Association of Washington Cities grant: staff said the ART grant would reimburse the city up to $111,001.78 for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and can be extended twice through 2028 by mutual amendment. The grant will fund the CARES position, increasing it from approximately 20 hours per week to full time.
FD CARES interlocal amendment: staff described Amendment 1 to the interlocal agreement with the city of Olympia to fully fund the Tumwater CARES specialist (Ariana Gomez). Through October the CARES specialist made 55 referrals; staff said the program helps reduce repeat 911 calls and supports coordination with mobile outreach and the new crisis response team.
Operational notes: staff clarified CARES workers are social workers and connectors to services — not medical professionals or EMTs — and their work is largely referral‑based and field outreach following crew referrals. The council approved both the grant agreement and the interlocal amendment.
