C4N - Explore Crisis Intervention Program

Committee Referrals - C4 N

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

ANALYSIS

Please place on the April 23, 2025 agenda a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee to discuss the exploration and feasibility of a Crisis Intervention Response Program that would deploy behavioral health first responders to address certain mental health crises.

Approximately 2.9 million adults in Florida, and 500,000 juveniles, experience mental health issues each year. In order to better address persons in mental health crises, there are various models available including models that imbed social workers with Police patrol officers and respond in real time to people in crisis. While in other models, the behavior health first responders only become involved after the individual is taken into protective custody (i.e., Baker Acted). Moreover, some models focus only on people in mental crisis, while other models provide immediate services to victims of domestic violence – and some models do both.

It is my understanding that other municipalities, including Miami-Dade County, have explored similar programs that dispatch a civilian response team, including a certified medic and/or a trained behavioral health crisis worker, to address certain emergency and non-emergency calls. Accordingly, I would request that the City Administration be prepared at Committee to provide information, along with its recommendation concerning whether a crisis response program would be beneficial in the City of Miami Beach, after carefully considering the various models, expectations, implementation, costs involved, and any other relevant factors.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

N/A

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONCLUSION

Applicable Area

Citywide

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Office of Commissioner Laura Dominguez

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Laura Dominguez

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Ref: PSNQLC - Explore Crisis Intervention Response Program. (Dominguez)

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)