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PRESS RELEASE. From the City of Half Moon Bay on March 16th, 2022.
Today, the City, along with El Centro de Libertad and over 100 community members, public safety officials, and elected officials launched the kickoff of the Crisis Assistance Response & Evaluation Services (CARES) Pilot Program.
This groundbreaking program now offers an alternative response to mental health-related 911 calls traditionally answered by law enforcement, fire, or ambulance. 911 dispatch operators will now have the option to deploy the CARES mobile crisis unit made up of a certified emergency medication technician and behavioral health clinician trained in de-escalation and suicide prevention.
Dignitaries including Half Moon Bay Mayor Debbie Ruddock, San Mateo County District 3 Supervisor and current Board President Don Horsley, and representatives from Senator Becker and Assembly member Berman’s offices provided encouraging remarks. El Centro Executive Director Jeff Essex shared plans for the program and how they will coordinate with first responders and service providers to connect individuals in crisis with the support they need. Members of the family of Yanira Serrano-Garcia were guests of honor, and her brother, Tony Serrano, expressed his appreciation for the program. “We are all here because of Yanira,” Serrano said. The launch of the CARES program marks the upcoming eighth anniversary of Yanira’s death following a call of mental health distress from her family to 911.
The CARES program marks the start of a new era in Half Moon Bay – an era in which people can reach out, without fear, during a mental health or emotional distress crisis, with the assurance that the response will be one of compassion, non-violence, and assistance.
All calls diverted to the CARES program by public safety communications need to go through 911. The CARES team will be providing services within the city limits of Half Moon Bay and the Moonridge Housing Community Tuesdays – Saturdays from 1:30 pm to 10:00 pm. We hope to expand the program later this summer with additional grant funding.
For more information please visit www.hmbcity.com/cares.
CARES – CRISIS ASSISTANCE RESPONSE AND EVALUATION SERVICES PROGRAM
City Council of Half Moon Bay Meets ~ 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 7:00pm
HMB City Council Agendas and Zoom Links
HMB City Calendar
The New Now ~ Virtual Remote Public Agency Meetings
- streamed live on Comcast Channel 27 and Pacific Coast TV website
- the City’s website online (via Granicus)
- and on Facebook Live
- one in English (City of Half Moon Bay FB Page)
- one in Spanish (City of Half Moon Bay Recreation FB Page)
- Recorded by Pacific Coast TV (PCTV)
Members or the public are welcome to submit comments (in accordance with the three-minute per speaker limit) via email
The City Council of Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay City Council Subcommittees
- CSFA Grant Selection
- Education
- Emergency Preparedness
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Legislative Affairs
- Mobility