County directs staff to work with community group on 12‑month dementia public‑safety hub pilot

The board directed staff March 3 to work with a community group proposing a 12‑month pilot "Dementia Public Safety and Navigation Hub" to better coordinate responses to dementia‑related incidents, support caregivers and train first responders.

Dr. Marcy McPherson, who presented the idea, said the hub would provide a visible county resource for families, a place to coordinate stabilization after qualifying emergencies, and a training and de‑escalation resource for deputies and other first responders. Early modeling presented by proponents suggested potential reductions in repeat dispatches and emergency‑service demand; proponents emphasized the pilot nature of the effort and requested space within existing county facilities rather than new construction.

Multiple public speakers—caregivers, long‑term-care administrators and dementia practitioners—described cases in which lack of accessible guidance or local navigation resources led to medical crises, repeated 911 calls, unnecessary hospital admissions and family exhaustion. Several speakers urged county support for education and a discrete point‑of‑contact embedded with county operations.

Commissioners praised the concept but asked staff to scope the plan, including insurance, funding, metrics and how the hub would interface with Aging Services and law enforcement. The board voted unanimously to have staff engage with the proposers and return with a proposed pilot scope.

What’s next: proposers will work with county staff to develop an operational plan and budget for a 12‑month pilot; the board asked for measurable outcomes that would enable evaluation at the pilot’s conclusion.