Menifee PD, RUHS increase efforts in outreach to homeless

By Menifee 24/7 Staff

The Menifee Police Department has joined in a memorandum of understanding with Riverside University Health Services to fund two full-time Behavioral Health Specialists for outreach services to the homeless in Menifee.

The two specialists from RUHS will work together with the Menifee PD’s Community Based Assessment Team and Homeless Liaison. They will work out of the Menifee PD station for a total of 80 hours per week.

The program was approved by the City Council last week for five years at a cost of $180,000 per year. Menifee PD will fund 60 percent of the cost for the positions and RUHS will fund the remaining 40 percent. Funding for the next two years will come from within the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2023/2024 and FY 2024/2025 Budget, under Account No. 100-4911-52800 (Professional Services).

Funding for future years will be incorporated into respective City budgets.If grant money becomes available, it will be used to help with the funding.

“This partnership would strive to provide alternatives to those at risk of injury or death without appropriate mental health/substance use homeless services provided directly in the community in collaboration with local law enforcement,” according to the City proposal that was unanimously approved. “They will seek to engage hard to reach homeless who suffer from a serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder and link them to all available community resources in a coordinated and effective manner and collaborate with community agencies and provide immediate access to treatment and emergency shelter.

“This partnership also seeks to reduce jail incarcerations and involuntary behavioral health treatment/hospitalizations for individuals whose behavior is influenced by a mental health disorder/crisis and who are the subject of 9-1-1 calls. By establishing this mutually beneficial team, the City of Menifee would benefit from the direct knowledge and experience of the Behavioral Health Specialist II and III regarding mental health and homeless resources.”