Culver City Observer -

Culver City has started work on a mobile crisis intervention program, designed to help individuals experiencing mental health, behavioral health and homelessness in the city.

A city panel has selected Critical Responses in Supportive Integrated Services (C.R.I.S.I.S.) Consulting to develop an alternative crisis program – which reinforces the city’s commitment to reimagining public safety.

City officials said C.R.I.S.I.S. Consulting has developed similar alternative crisis programs throughout California and has experience working with first responders, government officials and community stakeholders. The consulting group has just started work on the local intervention program, with a six-month development schedule and implementation next June.

Last summer, following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and the widespread protests held across the country, the City Council responded to community feedback by directing the City Manager to lead a review of public safety services and to bring back recommendations on options to shift resources and reduce reliance on law enforcement to meet some specific community needs.

The Council and community received numerous presentations and reports between October 2020, and April 2021. Earlier this year, the Council directed staff to work with the newly-formed Crisis Response Subcommittee to retain a consultant project manager to assist in the design of a comprehensive mobile crisis intervention program for individuals experiencing mental health, behavioral health and other issues related to homelessness in Culver City.

In April, the Council affirmed its commitment to developing this alternative response program, providing other direction to staff on reimagining public safety.

“Mobile crisis intervention will be an important new city service,” said city officials in a statement. “The City is looking forward to partnering with C.R.I.S.I.S. Consulting, which distinguished itself through its demonstrated experience with this innovative first response model.”

For more information about the Mobile Crisis Intervention program, contact Helen Chin, at helen.chin@culvercity.org or by calling (310) 253-6000.