A Pilot Study: Behavioral Response and Community Engagement (BRACE) Team

The University of South Florida (USF), the City of Palmetto/Police Department, and Centerstone, a mental health and addiction service agency, proposes to implement A Pilot Study: Behavioral Response and Community Engagement (BRACE) Team. The purpose is to transform the current approach to behavioral health crises in a small urban setting by introducing a single-responder system, known as a Navigator. The project activities include implementing both quantitative and qualitive methods to evaluate the effectiveness of this alternative single first response system, which aims to minimize law enforcement involvement. It will also focus on improving emergency dispatch training protocols to better handle crisis situations. Expected outcomes of this program evaluation include the successful redirection of appropriate calls to the Navigator, a reduction in police contacts, arrests, and Baker Act enactments for behavioral health-related emergencies, as well as an analysis of the Navigator’s and dispatch experiences. Subrecipient tasks involve collaborative efforts to augment dispatch training, facilitate Navigator onboarding, and engage in SWOT analyses during quarterly meetings to ensure continuous assessment and refinement of the program. Through these measures, the BRACE Team aspires to establish a more effective response mechanism for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. CA/NCF