U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

The City of Vallejo Police Department's Integrated Health and Resource Team (IHART) expansion will provide critical wraparound support, case management, and resources to individuals in crisis.

Award Information

Award #
15PBJA-24-GG-02875-MENT
Funding Category
Competitive Discretionary
Location
Awardee County
Solano
Congressional District
Status
Awarded, but not yet accepted
Funding First Awarded
2024
Total funding (to date)
$550,000

Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2024, $550,000)

The City of Vallejo Police Department (VPD) Integrated Health and Resource Team (IHART) expansion project proposes to provide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year mobile crisis response to residents of Vallejo, California experiencing mental and/or behavioral health crises, reducing calls for service requiring police presence to address a chronically understaffed police department.

Since July 2023, Vallejo has been in a state of emergency due to VPD’s immense staffing shortages. VPD is operating at less than 50% of its authorized capacity: it has gone from 137 officers in 1991 to 62 officers in 2024 (132 authorized, only 73 sworn in place, 11 of which are on long-term disability/modified duty). This shortage is compounded by high rates of violent crime. Vallejo is continuously ranked one of California’s most dangerous cities, with crime rates 96% higher than national average. VPD receives about 185 911 calls daily.

Primary Activities include expanding IHART to achieve 24 hour, 365 operations; designing, developing, and deploying an assertive community treatment-like model; educate family members and caregivers of those with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) /substance use disorders (SUDs); and enhancing officer and IHART staff knowledge and skills in SMI/SUD treatment. There are no planned conference activities for the recommended award.

Date Created: September 25, 2024