Co-responder program off to a healthy start

The new CSPT-funded co-responder program is off to a healthy start. From April 15 when it rolled out through June 2024, the qualified mental health professional (QMHP) and a police officer team made approximately 205 contacts with at-risk people downtown, completed 14 Forensic Intensive Treatment Team (FITT) screenings, and enrolled seven people in FITT. This program is a treatment-forward way to respond to people experiencing mental illness, addictions, and crisis downtown, and get them into the services that can be a stairway to recovery.

We are looking toward Phase 2 of this project, which will include an expansion adding an additional QMHP position and a peer support specialist. This would/will bring the fully staffed team to: two QMHPs, one peer support, one clinical supervisor, and two officers.

Funds from the Community Safety Payroll Tax (CSPT) support five service areas in the City of Eugene: Police, Fire and EMS, Unhoused Services, Youth & Teen Empowerment Program, and Municipal Court and Prosecutor's Office.