[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING inRESPONSE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 24, 2025

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team of the Santa Rosa Police 
Department. I have named the team as the California 4th District's 
Public Safety Hero of the Year for Sonoma County in recognition of 
their extraordinary selflessness, dedication, and service to our 
community.
  Established in January 2022 in response to community calls for a 
mental health-first approach to crisis intervention, inRESPONSE offers 
a compassionate alternative to traditional emergency response. The team 
consists of a licensed mental health clinician, a paramedic, a homeless 
engagement specialist, and wrap-around service providers, all trained 
in de-escalation, social work interventions, and both physical and 
mental health evaluations.
  The inRESPONSE team operates under a collaborative model, working 
alongside non-profits, county-licensed mental health clinicians, and 
public safety officials to ensure that each call is handled with an 
individualized, needs-based approach. Recognizing that mental health 
challenges vary widely, the team provides bilingual and bi-cultural 
support, addressing issues such as food insecurity, substance abuse, 
housing instability, and long-term mental health treatment.
  Though inRESPONSE works closely with the Santa Rosa Police 
Department, they remain unarmed in the field, allowing for a response 
centered on care rather than enforcement. This approach not only 
alleviates strain on law enforcement and emergency medical services but 
also reduces the potential for use-of-force incidents while increasing 
access to essential mental health care. In 2023 alone, inRESPONSE 
successfully diverted 4,976 calls from traditional police and emergency 
responders.
  In 2024, inRESPONSE expanded to a 24/7 operational schedule, 
responding to 4,977 calls for service and nearly 1,000 additional calls 
for resources and support. The team diverted 4,301 calls from police 
response and 1,772 from fire and EMS, ensuring that those in crisis 
received the specialized care they needed while preserving vital 
emergency resources for other community needs.
  Mr. Speaker, the inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team has profoundly 
improved crisis intervention services in Santa Rosa, creating a safer, 
more supportive community. Their dedication to serving individuals in 
their most vulnerable moments exemplifies the spirit of public service. 
It is both fitting and proper that we recognize and honor them today.

                          ____________________