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CARE outlines expanded mobile crisis billing, data showing diversion successes
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Summary
CARE reported serving 666 unique clients between 2023 and 2025 and described a new services agreement with DHHS to bill Medi-Cal for mobile crisis responses; staff said the agreement and credentialing should help stabilize program revenue and extend services into adjacent unincorporated areas.
Eureka — The city'funded CARE mobile crisis and alternative-response program presented data and a contract update April 21 that officials said will increase the program's financial sustainability and reach.
Managing clinician Jacob Rosen described the program's data from 2023'25: CARE served 666 unique clients and provided 844 crisis responses and 2,412 case-management contacts. Rosen said the team diverted 655 crisis contacts from a 5150 hospital hold or involuntary hold and that diversion rates have improved year-over-year as staffing and clinical expertise increased.
Rosen announced a recently finalized services agreement with county DHHS Behavioral Health that allows CARE to bill the Medi-Cal mobile crisis benefit for eligible clients. "This does unlock a billing component so that we can bill Medi-Cal for some of the clients that we see," Rosen said, and staff said the arrangement will expand CARE's jurisdiction to nearby unincorporated areas while generating revenue to support the program.
Staff also reported progress on credentialing with Partnership Health Plan for enhanced case management and on using a new electronic health record (InSync/Qualifacts) to refine client and outcome data. Rosen said CARE has trained interns and clinicians and will continue presenting program practices at national conferences.
Councilmembers praised the program and asked for additional data (for example, how long individuals have been unhoused and time on housing lists) that staff said could be included in future homelessness-survey reporting.
