Understanding the Crisis Response System in San Francisco

NAMI San Francisco presents: Understanding the Crisis Response System in San Francisco.

Local leaders will discuss the crisis services their organization provides, including:

-how people accees and/or come in contact with services

-where people go after they have received a service

-how family members and loved ones can best interact with their services

-how to contact their organization for more information, and more.

Organizations and Presenters:

San Francisco Fire Department's Community Paramedicine Division, includes several teams focusing on behavioral health response, substance use disorders, those that are experiencing homelessness, and frequent 911 utilizers. The Street Crisis Response Team (SCRT) is an alternative to law enforcement that responds to 911 calls for behavioral crisis and well being checks. The team is staffed by a community paramedic, EMT and peer. EMS6, a team of captains responds to those that frequently utilize 911, which often has a behavioral health or substance use nexus, providing advocacy, referrals and linkages to care.

Chief April Sloan, Community Paramedicine Division, San Francisco Fire Department

UCSF / Zuckerberg Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES). The social workers in PES work with an interdisciplinary team in the emergency room to facilitate discharges from the hospital. This often includes referrals to shelter, residential mental health and substance use treatment programs, outpatient mental health services, and coordinating care with existing providers and family. Also, PES social workers carry a caseload of clients who are frequent visitors of the emergency room and require a considerable amount of outreach and system advocacy to meet their needs.

Mia Franco, Clinical Social Work Supervisor with UCSF/ZSFG Psychiatric Emergency Services

911 Call Center. The 911 call center using the International Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch (IAEMD) Protocol. Callers may be people in crisis, concerned bystanders, or third parties. Dispatchers follow scripted protocols to determine and send the most appropriate response—ambulance, Street Crisis Response Team (SCRT), HEART, or law enforcement. Once dispatched, the call center’s role usually ends unless field teams request further assistance because the situation escalates or de‑escalates.

Evora Heard, Lead for Alternate Response at the Department of Communications

Family Information Form. The Family Information Form is a resource for family members and/or loved ones who are caring for someone with a serious mental health condition and provides a means for family members to communicate about their relative’s mental health history to psychiatric and court authorities

Kara Chien, managing attorney of the Mental Health Unit at the San Francisco Public Defender's Office

Who is this program for?

The general public, family members/loved ones of people living with mental health conditions, and staff and community members associated with City of San Francisco agencies and community based organizations.

This program is open to all community members. We hope to connect with you on Thursday, November 13!

Some quick FAQs:

Q: How will I receive a Zoom link?

A: Your confirmation email (and reminder emails) will include a Zoom link.

Q: Will this be a Zoom webinar?

A: Yes

Q: I see a Zoom registration link. Is this correct?

A: Yes - the link in the confirmation and reminder emails will take you to a very short Zoom registration page (we have this for program attendance tracking - something we need for our funding contracts). Thanks for understanding!

Q: Is this event free?

A: Yes! All NAMI SF programs are free (we do accept donations).

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NAMI San Francisco provides free mental health education and support to diverse, minoritized communities. Visit our website to learn more. Support these efforts by donating today!