"The work you are funding here - funding mental health crisis teams, expanding non-police responses to crises and recognizing the value of this approach - is setting an example for the rest of the country."
"This amendment is a testament to the city's commitment to a future where mental health care is prioritized, where crisis response does not default to law enforcement and lives are protected instead of lost."
On March 7, 2025, the City Council voted to allocate over $1.4 million for Integral Care's Expanded Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (EMCOT) to improve mental health crisis response. This funding aims to enhance the program's operations, allowing for 24/7 services and addressing staffing shortages in mental health care. Council Member Ryan Alter spearheaded the funding initiative, with support from Aloki Shah, who emphasized the importance of non-police crisis interventions. This decision reflects a growing commitment to prioritizing mental health care over law enforcement in crisis situations, particularly in light of past tragedies.
Read at Austin Monitor
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