At King County’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Division, we’re working toward a future where everyone is able to access mental health and substance use care when, where and how they need it. We are also actively bringing care and support to people in the community experiencing behavioral health crises.
Our growing cadre of behavioral health outreach teams go anywhere and everywhere in the County to meet people where they are, offering compassion, support, connections to resources and treatment, medications for opioid use disorder, and more in a culturally responsive way.
Introducing King County Behavioral Health Outreach Teams
In King County, a growing network of teams work out in our communities to support people having a mental health or substance use crisis. These teams play a vital role in the well-being and safety of our community members, working to build rapport, get to know people, learn what they need, and then help them find it.
Here is an overview of each team:
Mobile Crisis Team (MCT):
The Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) operate 24/7, providing in-person responses to adults facing active behavioral health crises anywhere in King County. MCT teams are made up of trained mental health workers, outreach specialists, and peers. MCT responds to calls in pairs and travel across the county to help people where they are in a crisis, responding in under an hour on average. King County will add 10 new teams in 2024 for a total of 27 to reach more people. Their primary objectives include:
- Crisis Resolution: MCT aims to stabilize people during a moment of crisis, resolve the crisis, and find the least restrictive care to help people in crisis.
- De-escalation: MCT employ techniques to reduce tension and prevent situations from escalating further.
- Community Connection: MCT connects people to community resources, ensuring ongoing support beyond crisis moments.
- You can reach MCT by calling 988 or the Regional Crisis Line at 866-427-4747.
Designated Crisis Responders (DCRs):
DCRs assess a person’s mental health and risk of harm to themselves or others in times of crisis. Historically and during the height of the pandemic, DCRs were often the first to respond or the first call made by providers, hospitals, and community members to help someone in a behavioral health crisis. As we grow the number of specialized behavioral health outreach teams working in the field, DCRs continue to play a critical role in the continuum of care. DCRs investigate, evaluate, and ultimately decide whether to detain an individual under State statute for involuntary psychiatric or substance abuse care.
Emergency Services Patrol (ESP):
ESP focuses on specific areas in the downtown Seattle core, including the City Hall Park Neighborhood in downtown Seattle. Their mission is to address behavioral health crises promptly and effectively. Key aspects of ESP include:
- Geographic Focus: ESP concentrates its efforts in areas where behavioral health challenges are prevalent, such as the City Hall Park neighborhood in downtown Seattle.
- De-escalation and Support: ESP team members engage with individuals, providing support and working to de-escalate tense situations.
- Resource Referrals: They connect people with services, ensuring they receive the help they need.
The Outreach team engaged with “Jerry,” offering him snack pack which he accepted. He said his day is okay and not too bad. He also asked for hygiene pack which staff provided too. He also accepted Fentanyl test strips because of recent cases of overdose in the area and staff explained how to use them and gave printed instructions. Jerry thanked the team for the support supplies, and rapport was built. – ESP shared an outreach and connection they made this May
Metro Terminal Support:
The Metro Terminal Support team assists people having behavioral health challenges at bus transit centers across King County. Notable features of this team include:
- Transit Center Focus: This team assists people at bus transit centers, such as the Burien Transit Center and Aurora Village Transit Centers.
- Safety: By addressing behavioral health issues before they escalate, they contribute to safer and more supportive transit environments.
Sound Transit Downtown Light-Rail Outreach:
Operating around downtown light-rail stations, this team engages with individuals in crisis. Their efforts include:
- Proactive Engagement: They approach individuals, offering support and referrals.
- Preventing Escalation: By intervening early, they help prevent behavioral health situations from worsening.
During the outreach, the team encountered an individual hoping to find a place to sleep for the night. He had lost his EBT card and ID. The outreach team provided him with a phone number to call to replace his EBT card and helped him make an appointment online to replace his ID and get a $5 voucher to help with the cost of the replacement ID. He expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by the outreach team before departing for his bus. The outreach team provided him with shelter information, directing him to Otto’s Place. – April Outreach Team Report, showing how Outreach Teams can help people connect with services and access benefits.
Recovery Navigator Program
The Recovery Navigator Program (RNP)is a community-based outreach program that engages people who may benefit from behavioral health treatment and facilitate connections to treatment.
- The focus population for the RNP is to serve individuals who intersect with law enforcement because of simple drug possession or have frequent contact with the criminal legal system because of unmet behavioral health needs.
- The goal of the RNP is to make these services available across our region in areas that are currently not served or underserved, to remove barriers, and create a seamless approach to recovery.
Third Avenue Outreach Team
King County also helps fund the Third Avenue Outreach team in downtown Seattle operated by DESC. The team of two will launch soon to support this neighborhood and the upcoming ORCA Post-Overdose Recovery Center by proactively addressing the needs of individuals accessing services or living outside nearby. The team, also officially referred to as the Pioneer Square Client Engagement (PSCE) team, builds rapport with people in the area and works closely with other service providers, nearby businesses, and neighborhood residents. The team also works closely with emergency personnel for improved coordination during emergencies.
For youth:
Children’s Crisis Outreach Response System (CCORS):
When the family is experiencing conflict, when a youth is experiencing emotional or behavioral problems, or if a youth is at imminent risk of removal from a current caregiving placement, CCORS is available 24/7 to help. CCORS, operated by the YMCA, responds immediately, wherever the child and family are to offer quick support and access to long-term services.
Some situations you might call about include: Conflict at home with your children or caregiver, self-harm, suicide ideation, aggression or violence, sudden changes in your child’s behavior, disruption in family, or anxiety or depression, when as a parent you need support in the moment.
- Mobile crisis outreach:
- Crisis services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Trained teams go to the family home or other location to help.
- The team works with the family to put in place ongoing services and supports to prevent future crises.
- Outreach services include mental health and suicide risk assessments and links to community resources for housing, and more.
- Non-emergency outreach appointments:
- Appointments are available within 24-48 hours for families not in acute crisis but who need quick support and linkage to services.
- Crisis stabilization services:
- Based on the family’s needs, in-home support is available for up to 8 weeks following the initial acute crisis.
“There are rare points throughout life that someone comes into your life and leaves a forever mark on your path and changes it for the better, you have done that for us when we really needed it.” – Parent of youth in CCORS. Read Jimmy’s story here.
Additional outreach teams that work around the county to help people in a mental health or drug or alcohol related crisis include the CARE team in Seattle operated by the City of Seattle.
Remember, if you encounter someone in crisis related to mental health or substance use, you can call 988 or the King County Crisis Line at 866-427-4747. These outreach teams are dedicated to making a positive impact in our community!