Full Notification

MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
For Immediate Release No. 20221020-051
Thursday, October 20, 2022 

$500,000 in State Funding Will Expand San Mateo County's Community Wellness & Crisis Response Team Program 

San Mateo, CA – San Mateo County and four local police departments have collaborated on a pilot program to help outcomes for those experiencing a mental health crisis. Launched in December of 2021, the Community Wellness & Crisis Response Team (CWCRT) program is already off to a solid start. San Mateo Police Department has led the effort, which also includes the Daly City, Redwood City and South San Francisco Police Departments.

Assembly Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin secured $500,000 in the 2022-23 state budget with the intention of augmenting the existing program and allowing for expansion, and to provide training for first responders when interacting with individuals living with neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s or dementia, which affects behavior. Mullin will present the check to San Mateo County and law enforcement officials at a press conference on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 3:15pm at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center (725 Monte Diablo Ave., San Mateo).

“I am proud of the work being done in San Mateo County to respond more effectively and appropriately to 9-1-1 calls involving those who are experiencing some form of mental health crisis,” Mullin stated. “I am extremely pleased that state funding will provide additional financial support for this critical pilot and allow for training so responders can effectively interact with those who have Alzheimer’s or dementia.”

“Ultimately, this additional expertise in the field significantly contributes to the safety of the communities we serve as well as responding law enforcement personnel. The impact the identified funding will have is beyond measure and is greatly appreciated,” San Mateo Police Chief Ed Barberini says.  

In ten years, California will be home to 10.8 million people over the age of 60. Accompanying this shift in demographics will be an increased prevalence of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Three of the five goals identified in the California Master Plan on Aging specifically reference individuals living with Alzheimer’s/dementia and all five goals recognize the importance of equity as our population ages. Another significant goal of the Master Plan on Aging is to have a dementia ready-dementia friendly workforce.

Leading the CWCRT charge, since Chief Barberini’s arrival to the San Mateo Police Department in 2020, the department has participated in many training programs and initiatives to enhance the department’s ability to protect and to serve its most vulnerable community members. In September 2020, all police officers completed the Alzheimer’s Association Education Center’s class “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia. In June 2021, the department launched a therapy canine program. In May 2022, SMPD pursued specialized training in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). And, most recently, in September 2022, the department took another innovative step forward in improving the department’s engagement with community members who may be vulnerable, have special needs, or react differently when contacted by law enforcement officers, by launching Project Guardian. Project Guardian is a free and voluntary registry that strives to help officers avoid causing unnecessary stress and trauma by notifying them that the person they are about to contact has a condition which may affect the interaction. Officers will be better prepared for the call for service, supplied with information that may aid in calming, locating, and engaging with an individual who may not be able to communicate effectively during an emergency.

San Mateo Community Member Gloria Brown, whose husband suffered from Alzheimer’s, was instrumental in getting Assembly Member Mullin’s support to create a bill that aimed to provide all California police officers with training on Alzheimer’s by 2030. Unfortunately, that bill did not pass appropriations, but nonetheless, her efforts are one of the main reasons we are dedicated to making sure SMPD serves our most vulnerable. And because of her willingness to collaborate, we will continue to build on our efforts to ensure this Community Wellness & Crisis Response Team program is successful. The funds received from the state will ensure we can continue on with this mission.

The rapid increase in cases and changing demographics indicate that it not a matter of if, but rather a question of when peace officers will interact with individuals in their community living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Taking concrete steps to ensure that our state’s workforce is Alzheimer’s ready is critical and implementing Alzheimer’s and dementia training for peace officers is an especially important step towards accomplishing the state’s goals.
 
MEDIA CONTACT
Alison Gilmore
Public Information Officer | Office of the Chief
City of San Mateo Police Department
200 Franklin Pkwy, San Mateo, CA 94403
650-522-7626 | [email protected]
 
 
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