In May 2021, the City Council approved an 18-month Be Well OC Pilot Program to deploy the Mobile Crisis Response Team. The agreement was subsequently amended in October 2022 and extended through June 30, 2023. The Be Well OC Mobile Crisis Response Team is trained to respond to and de-escalate situations such as mental health crisis, drug and alcohol use issues, proactive outreach to the homeless, non-domestic violence/family disputes, and welfare checks. The pilot program included a 6-month ramp-up, including a training period and community engagement, in coordination with the Garden Grove Police Department Special Resource Team (SRT), Orange County Fire Authority and the Community and Economic Development Department.

The Be Well OC Pilot Program was designed to divert calls for service from Garden Grove first responders to trained mental health professionals. Annually SRT responds to over 3,000 calls for service involving mental health related needs and Police dispatch receives over 11,000 calls related to homelessness in which mental illness is the primary cause or major factor. As the program evolves, we are working collaboratively to improve the mental health system of care to Garden Grove residents and remove barriers to accessing mental health professionals.        

Over the past 18 months between October 1, 2021 and June 30, 2023, the Be Well Team has responded to 6,312 calls for service and spends an average of 32 minutes on scene per call (See Attachment No. 1). The latest June 2023 data is highlighted below:

•  76% of the calls did not require a co-response, thereby making Garden Grove First Responders available to focus on critical emergency calls.
•  68% of the calls assisted unhoused individuals.
•  51% of the calls addressed a mental health crisis.

Implementation of the Be Well Pilot Program ended June 30, 2023. Moving forward proposed program enhancements include:

• Increased focus on those impacted by homelessness;

• Increased case management support;
• Target services supporting Garden Grove’s diverse community;
• An addition of a second mobile response team van; and
• Continued refinement of data dashboards and reporting analytics to ensure transparency and continuous quality improvement.

It is recommended the City Council approve a two-year (2) Professional Services Agreement with options to extend annually with a maximum performance period of up to five (5) years. Years one (1) and two (2) will continue with 18-hour daily operations at $1.1M annually. At the end of year two (2) an evaluation will be performed by City staff to determine the City needs at that time and consider a reduction in daily operations from 18-hours to 12-hours for years three to five (3 to 5), thereby potentially reducing annual costs. The proposed cost for year’s three to five (3 to 5) is described in the tables below:

18-Hour Operations (Attachment No. 3):

12-Hour Operations (Attachment No. 4):
 

There is no additional impact to the General Fund for the first two years of operations. Funding for Be Well OC was approved by the City Council in the adopted FY23-24 and FY 24-25 budget. Years three to five (3 to 5) will have proposed funding for 18-hour daily operations as follows: year three (3) at $1.1M plus CPI ($500,000 from GGPD and $600,000 plus CPI from general fund); year four (4) at approved year three (3) budget plus CPI ($500,000 from GGPD and difference from general fund); and year five (5) at approved year four (4) budget plus CPI ($500,000 from GGPD and difference from general fund).  Of the total contract amount, $500,000 will continue to be included in the GGPD's operating budget for years 3 through 5.  Future years' contract amount will be incorporated into the perspective year's operating budget, contingent upon funding availability.

It is recommended that City Council:

• Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Be Well OC (Mind OC) for an amount not to exceed $1.1 million for years one and two (1 and 2);
• Approve year three (3) budget amount not to exceed $1.1M plus CPI;
• Approve year four (4) amount not to exceed the approved year three (3) amount plus CPI;
• Approve year five (5) amount not to exceed the approved year four (4) amount plus CPI; and
• Authorize the City Manager to sign the Agreement, and make minor modifications as appropriate on behalf of the City Council.

By: Monica Covarrubias

Sr. Project Manager