Description
Community Support Team (CST)
The Community Alternative Response Everett (CARE) is a vital component of Everett’s behavioral health response strategy. Comprising of indiviudals supporting City PUblic Safety efforts. We support the Police, Fire, Library, and other varied city Departments. CARE is committed to providing comprehensive support and care for individuals facing behavioral health crises.
Key Components:
- Police-Embedded Social Work (PDSW):
- Role: The PDSW, now integrated with police officers, plays a crucial role in bridging gaps between vulnerable populations and social services. Their outreach efforts, crisis response, and work to engage community members, ensuring they receive the necessary support.
- Functions:
- Engaging with at-risk individuals and connecting them to resources
- Advocating for clients to ensure appropriate services
- Fostering community trust and collaboration
- Respond to 911 calls for service
- Follow up on police requests for community members in need of support
- Community Assistance and Referral to Education Services (CARES) or Fire Embedded Social Work:
- Role: CARES is a referral-based case management program designed to provide ongoing support and resource connections.
- Functions:
- Creating personalized care plans in collaboration with health professionals
- Offering emotional and practical support to individuals and families
- Assisting with daily activities and transportation needs
- Respond to 911 calls for service
- Follow up on Fire/EMS requests for community members in need of support
- Resources, Education, and Community Help (REACH) Team or Library Embedded Social Work:
- Role: The REACH team enhances the continuum of care by providing follow-up services and a drop-in spot for individuals in crisis.
- Functions:
- Ensuring continuity of care after initial interventions
- Reducing arrests, custody time, and recidivism
- Increasing access to non-emergency behavioral health services
Challenges and Commitment:
Despite budget cuts, programmatic changes, and difficulties accessing detox beds and a local triage facility, the CARE remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing behavioral health response. Our operational status allows us to continue providing crucial support to the Everett community.
Join Our Team:
As a City of Everett Social Work Intern, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside dedicated professionals, contributing to the well-being of our residents. Whether you’re involved in library social work, supporting Fire/EMS systems, or intensive case management, your role will directly impact the quality of life for those we serve.
Micro
Direct Interaction and Support:
Providing immediate assistance to individuals experiencing behavioral crises.
Helping individuals access behavioral health services, housing, and other social services.
Accompanying emergency medical responders and law enforcement on patrols to assist individuals in crisis.
Supporting vulnerable individuals and working with them to make changes in their lives.
Case Management: For example, helping someone find shelter or assisting with daily activities.
Mezzo
Community and Group Work:
Collaborating with various city departments (e.g., public library, police, and fire departments) to develop and support embedded social work programs.
Coordinating and responding to the needs of people experiencing behavioral health issues within the community.
Exercising field support over assigned staff and ensuring they effectively bridge the gap between law enforcement, emergency medical response, and social needs.
Partnering with community providers and services to ensure a comprehensive response to social service needs.
Community Engagement: CST collaborates with community organizations, schools, and local agencies.
Program Development: Creating programs or interventions to address behavioral health needs.
Coordination: Bridging the gap between individual needs and broader community resources.
Macro
Systemic Change and Policy Development:
Developing alternative response strategies for the community that do not rely solely on police or fire departments.
Creating and implementing an alternative response plan for individuals experiencing behavioral crises, focusing on non-police responses.
Partnering with 988, 911, and other community providers to create new response methods for those in need.
Writing grant proposals to fund the creation and operation of an alternative response team, including hiring staff and finding locations for them to be housed.
Engaging in discussions and research to find the best practices for addressing social service and behavioral needs at a community level.
Policy Advocacy: Shaping policies related to behavioral health response.
Resource Allocation: Advocating for funding and resources to enhance CST services.
System Improvement: Influencing the entire crisis response system.
Required Experience
Any case management, shelter, working with those with significant mental health or substance use disorders, or experience working with unhoused populations a plus.
Required/Preferred Languages
N/A
How to Apply
Contact Kelli Roark at the city of Everett- via email- Kroark@everettwa.gov & Emma Ludington Eludington@everettwa.gov
