To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Tyler Brown, Sheriff
Prepared By:
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Captain Kevin Heaton, Support Services Bureau, Sheriff’s Office
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presenter
Presenters: Captain Kevin Heaton, Support Services Bureau, Sheriff’s Office
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Subject:
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2:30 PM *Approval to Apply for the Fines Committee Grant
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office is interested in applying for the 2024-2025 Fines Committee Grant offered through Colorado Competency Solutions. The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office requests the Board of County Commissioners to authorize the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office to apply for and accept funds from the Fines Committee Grant.
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Background and Discussion: The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office’s (ACSO) goal is to find a more efficient and effective way to connect frequent 911 callers in need of mental health and/or co-occurring disorder services to local providers. Currently calls for service involving co-responders are tracked manually on a spreadsheet and provided quarterly to the Public Safety Bureau Chief. The proposed software will help ACSO quickly and seamlessly identify those in need.
The ACSO averages approximately 2,400 calls for service in Arapahoe County involving persons with mental health and/or related co-occurring conditions, such as substance use disorders over the past three years. Identifying behavioral health cases faster will enable critical resources to reach the individual in need sooner. Currently, deputies manually search, extract, and combine data to create a consolidated report. If awarded, ACSO plans to use the grant funding to purchase a one-year subscription for a new data analytical software program that specializes in this type of need. The software will help the Sheriff’s Office collect and analyze new data that will be shared with dispatch and deputies in the field. This will enable dispatch to send needed assistance more efficiently and effectively to individuals experiencing mental health issues, which may include non-arrest interventions.
In 2023, 38% of calls were repeat calls to known individuals. Whenever possible, if there is an established history with an individual, a co-responder will attempt to handle the call without assistance of a deputy. If an arrest is made, co-responders work with the client and make sure current medications are taken with them to the jail. Co-responders can also share information with receiving deputies and booking nurse. In 2023, less than 2% of calls resulted in the individual being arrested.
Fiscal Impact: The cost for a 12-month subscription for Force Metrics software is $347,000. Grant funding would cover the first year, and then ACSO would assess the value provided and submit a budget package or supplement for further funding.
Alternatives: The only alternative is not to pursue or accept the grant funds.
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☐Be fiscally sustainable
☐Provide essential and mandated service
☒Be community focused
Staff Recommendation: The Sheriff’s Office Administration and Support Services Bureaus recommend applying for the Fines Committee grant.
Concurrence: The Sheriff’s Office Administration and Support Services Bureaus are in concurrence with this decision.