Crisis Response is a federally mandated service which requires the Behavioral Health Managed Care Plan to provide a twenty-four (24) hour crisis response system to support residents experiencing behavioral health crisis. Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) entered into Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) on or about November 3, 2020 with the Cities of Woodland, West Sacramento and Davis (Cities) to form a co-responder team with local law enforcement to intervene in behavioral health-related calls. The intent of this partnership was to work together to de-escalate situations, which have historically resulted in arrest, and to assess whether the individual should be referred for immediate behavioral health interventions. This MOU expired on June 30, 2025. The Cities have requested to extend this MOU to continue the partnership and critical support provided by the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Clinicians through June 30, 2026. The Local Mental Health Board (LMHB) and Yolo County Board of Supervisors have supported this program since its inception in 2014. The constituents of Yolo County are increasingly requesting behavioral health interventions rather than a law enforcement response. Community partners also support this service as it has led to a decrease in costly hospital emergency department visits.

The first iteration of the CIT program started in 2014 and remained active until 2017. HHSA partnered with Yolo County Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and Turning Point Community Program, funded through SB89. After the sunset of the program, LEAs quickly learned of the benefits of the services and the loss of resources once the program was over. The Crisis Team is a vital resource to have in the field as they are able to manage Mental Health related calls to allow officers to respond to public safety calls for service. This results in better mental health outcomes.

Crisis Co-responders are trained in behavioral health crisis response and can effectively de-escalate these crisis situations, which then allows LEAs to focus on public safety. Embedding co-responders with law enforcement increases officers’ ability to deal with behavioral health crises through consultation and observation of co-responder techniques. Co-responder services support outcomes such as reductions in hospitalizations, involuntary holds of individuals in crisis, and incarcerations.

Crisis Services’ tireless commitment is evident by the continued work in the field through COVID and the current challenges of a growing population and emergent need to access mental health services twenty-four (24) hours a day. Crisis Response has been on scene for various calls including domestic incidents, family interventions, school responses, post-suicide support for families, homeless support, de-escalation of individuals that are in the midst of self-harm or harm to others. 

Crisis Services supports timely in-person response, a reduction in costly services, and can save lives. Furthermore, with SB43 implementation and Care Court Act, there is an increased need to have knowledgeable trained staff in the field to help support the various agencies and partners who continue to work together to support those at high risk in the community.

County Counsel has approved this Agreement as to form.

Not applicable as this is a revenue generation agreement.

Vendor Performance
Crisis Co-Responders have responded to over 1,159 calls for service during fiscal year 2024-25. 806 of those calls were for crisis needs, 173 of those calls were for Mental Health service needs and 17 of those calls were for SUD service needs. On average, crisis clinicians spent about 57 minutes on scene, resolving the crisis situation. Average clinician response time from notification to initial in-person contact with clients was 6 minutes. 84% of those clients served were not placed on an involuntary hold while 98% of those clients served were not arrested/taken to jail.