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Floor Speech
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Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team of the Santa Rosa Police Department. I have named the team as the California 4th District's Public Safety Hero of the Year for Sonoma County in recognition of their extraordinary selflessness, dedication, and service to our community.
Established in January 2022 in response to community calls for a mental health-first approach to crisis intervention, inRESPONSE offers a compassionate alternative to traditional emergency response. The team consists of a licensed mental health clinician, a paramedic, a homeless engagement specialist, and wrap-around service providers, all trained in de-escalation, social work interventions, and both physical and mental health evaluations.
The inRESPONSE team operates under a collaborative model, working alongside non-profits, county-licensed mental health clinicians, and public safety officials to ensure that each call is handled with an individualized, needs-based approach. Recognizing that mental health challenges vary widely, the team provides bilingual and bi-cultural support, addressing issues such as food insecurity, substance abuse, housing instability, and long-term mental health treatment.
Though inRESPONSE works closely with the Santa Rosa Police Department, they remain unarmed in the field, allowing for a response centered on care rather than enforcement. This approach not only alleviates strain on law enforcement and emergency medical services but also reduces the potential for use-of-force incidents while increasing access to essential mental health care. In 2023 alone, inRESPONSE successfully diverted 4,976 calls from traditional police and emergency responders.
In 2024, inRESPONSE expanded to a 24/7 operational schedule, responding to 4,977 calls for service and nearly 1,000 additional calls for resources and support. The team diverted 4,301 calls from police response and 1,772 from fire and EMS, ensuring that those in crisis received the specialized care they needed while preserving vital emergency resources for other community needs.
Mr. Speaker, the inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team has profoundly improved crisis intervention services in Santa Rosa, creating a safer, more supportive community. Their dedication to serving individuals in their most vulnerable moments exemplifies the spirit of public service. It is both fitting and proper that we recognize and honor them today.
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