Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2015-30:  A resolution supporting the Stepping Up initiative which aims to reduce the number of people with mental illness in jails.

On May 9, 2015, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to pass a resolution supporting the Stepping Up initiative. This was part of a national effort in coordination with the National Association of Counties (NACo) to curb mental illness in our jails. The City of Flagstaff contracts with the Coconino County Sheriffs Office for jail services.

The Flagstaff Police Department has a long history of working in partnership with mental health providers in our community. Additionally, our officers receive advanced training on identifying mental illness, and communicating effectively with those with mental illness. Working diligently with our partners to de-criminalize those suffering from metal illness is an ongoing effort. Within the past few months, members of the Flagstaff Police Department have received training in CIT (our Crisis Intervention Team training) as well as mental health first aid. Administrative staff on the Flagstaff Police Department meet regularly with members from the Guidance Center, CCSO, Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Administration (NARBHA), the Mental Health Court, and others to ensure individuals we contact are connected to the most appropriate services in our community. We also collaborate continually with the Coconino County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, who has worked hard this past year to improve services to the mentally ill in our community.

Through our current initiatives, policies and practices and our identified future goals and objectives, the Flagstaff Police Department strongly endorses this Resolution and its intent.

None.
 

 

COUNCIL GOALS:
The following Council goals apply to the support of this resolution.

3) Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics.

8) Improve effectiveness of notification, communication, and engagement with residents, neighborhoods and businesses and about City services, programs, policies, projects and developments.

By supporting the intent of this resolution, we continue to insure those in need of assistance are connected to the most appropriate services in our community.

No previous decision has been made on this, although a short presentation was made to Council by Sheriff Bill Pribil at the June 22, 2015 Joint Council / Board of Supervisors work session.

Adoption of this resolution provides Council the opportunity to formally endorse many of the initiatives already in place to ensure we decriminalize as much as possible the issue of mental illness.

By not adopting the resolution, there will be no negative impact on our initiatives or practices, and we will continue to partner with our community to offer the best resources possible.

Involve