Advancing Co-Response Statewide: A Strategic Partnership with the University of Washington School of Social Work
Through Senate Bill 5644, the Co-Responder Outreach Alliance (CROA) and the University of Washington (UW) School of Social Work have established a transformative partnership to strengthen co-response teams across Washington State. This collaboration supports both fire/EMS and police-based co-response programs through evidence-informed training, skill development, and the promotion of best practices in the field.
Between 2022 and 2023, UW researchers conducted an in-depth statewide survey of more than 60 co-response programs operating within police and fire departments. This effort identified trends, workforce needs, program goals, and innovative practices. To bring these findings into action, the UW School of Social Work and CROA hosted Washington State’s first-ever Co-Response Conference in 2023, which featured advanced skill-building sessions, wellness-focused workshops, and opportunities for cross-sector collaboration.
Introducing BHCore: Supporting Crisis Responders Across Washington
Established in 2024, BHCore serves the crisis response community in Washington state by providing training opportunities, funding innovative programs, supporting workforce development, and collecting data that helps shape policy and improve service delivery systems.
The center supports all frontline responders including law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical services, co-responders, social workers, mental health counselors, dispatchers, peers, and others delivering effective and humane assistance to people in crisis.
The University of Washington School of Social Work administers the state-funded initiative, which is informed by a wide range of subject-matter experts in behavioral health and first response—and by the individuals who have articulated and shared their behavioral health challenges and triumphs.
Together, CROA and the University of Washington are building the foundation for a stronger, more connected crisis response system. For more on BHCore, please visit the following website: https://bhcore.org/.
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2024
2024-2025 FIRE DEPARTMENT GRANTS FOR INNOVATIVE CO-RESPONSE PROGRAMS
Nine fire departments from across Washington State have been selected to receive grants to start or expand a co-response program and more effectively serve residents experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
The Co-Responder Outreach Alliance (CROA), in collaboration with the University of Washington School of Social Work, announced the availability of $2.8 million in grant opportunities in February 2024. The purpose of this funding is to encourage the development of fire-based co-response programs within the emergency response system and bring together critical, multi-disciplinary approaches to address complex medical and behavioral health needs in the field. The grant also aims to spur innovation in key areas to strengthen Washington’s crisis care continuum and will pilot high-quality training for firefighters and EMS personnel who currently lack a systemic approach in working with individuals experiencing behavioral health needs.
Grant recipients in each of the Innovation Strategy Areas are grouped into cohorts, facilitating opportunities to partner, collaborate and share best practices.
Innovation area: Becoming a behavioral health agency and billing for co-response services
Tacoma Fire Dept.
Kitsap CARES (led by Central Kitsap and Poulsbo Fire Departments)
Clark Cowlitz Fire Dept.
Innovation area: Administering medications for opioid use disorder in the field
South County Fire Dept.
Port Angeles Fire Dept.
Walla Walla Fire Dept.
Spokane Fire Dept.
Innovation area: Aligning with 988 and/or developing a crisis response team
Clark Cowlitz Fire Dept.
North Mason Fire Dept.
New program in an area without co-response
Riverside-Centralia Fire Dept.
Co-response, as defined by HB 1811, means a multidisciplinary partnership between 9 first responders and human services professionals that responds to 10 emergency situations involving behavioral health crises and people 11 experiencing complex medical needs. Participants in co-response 12 respond to in-progress 911 calls, 988 calls, and requests for service 13 from dispatch and other first responders and include first responders 14 such as public safety telecommunicators, law enforcement officers, 15 firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics, and 16 human services professionals such as social workers, behavioral 17 health clinicians, advanced practice registered nurses, registered 18 nurses, community health workers, and peer support specialists.
It is estimated that over 20% of all 911 calls are related to mental health and substance use issues. Additionally, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, only 4% of all reported fire department runs are fire related while the remainder are calls involving health and behavioral health issues. Behavioral health professionals, embedded in first responder agencies, bring critical assessment and communication skills to crisis situations that can de-escalate volatile events and connect clients to needed services and support.
For more information, visit www.bhcore.org.