    [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.

                              ____________________