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Board approves $1.2M amendment to Cardea Health contract to extend alternative-response pilot
Summary
Supervisors approved an amendment to Cardea Health's service agreement to extend and increase funding by $1.2 million to continue alternative-response units that provide mental-health crisis and community-based responses, with county fire reporting improved outcomes in pilot metrics.
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the county's service agreement with Cardea Health to add $1.2 million and extend the contract for alternative-response services that pair clinicians with non-law-enforcement responders.
Alameda County Fire Chief Willie McDonald told the board the pilot has been operating for 13 months and that the alternative-response unit responds on its own about 60% of the time; roughly 40% of calls still require law enforcement backup to secure scenes. Chief McDonald said the program reduced transports to emergency departments and lowered repeat contacts among frequent callers through case-management follow-up.
Supervisor Tam asked about metrics used to evaluate program impact and whether the program's cost would be sustainable as cities face budget constraints. Chief McDonald acknowledged the program is expensive but said county fire will continue to seek funding and that the pilot had been extended for an additional 18 months with a mix of one-time resources and ARPA funding in participating cities.
The contract amendment was considered during questions on the mass motion and approved as part of the consent/mass motion roll call vote earlier in the meeting.
What to watch next: Staff will continue to report program performance metrics to the board and explore funding options for longer-term sustainability.
