The Mendocino County Civil Grand Jury investigated Fort Bragg's CARE Response Unit (CRU) in 2025 and commended its innovative approach to addressing homelessness. The Grand Jury found that the CRU's integration of law enforcement and social services was a successful model for providing compassionate and effective support for individuals experiencing homelessness, and noted that their findings and recommendations from the report were to be responded to by the involved parties.
The County of Mendocino had advised that they are interested in adopting the Care Response Unit program and recognized our efforts to be an effective model to reduce recidivism. Chief Neil Cervenka and Captain Thomas O’Neal met with the board of supervisors to share CRU’s philosophies and theory on how to replicate services on a greater scale while meeting the needs of their communities
MCHC and CRU are collaborating to provide one respite bed used for intervention services and five respite beds for the few days of transition before an individual enters substance use treatment center, allowing a safe and sober environment for clients to prepare to enter treatment.
CRU continues to serve on the board of Mendocino County Homeless Services Continuum of Care(MCHSCoC) as the local government law enforcement board represented. This is a collaborative meeting with over 21 public agencies and private nonprofits.
CRU formalizes and agreement with MCSO to collaborate and reach more individuals at risk of recidivism.
An additional Social Services Liaison is hired through YOR 4 funding to work directly in the schools.
CRU expands services to The Village of Mendocino, Albion, and Westport.
Total Served: 247
Crisis De-Escalation: 311
Warm Handoff to MH: 27
Welfare Checks: 559
Transportation Services: 84
Total Service Episodes: 1,350
The Local Advisory Committee for Prop 47 is launched.
The Fentanyl Task Force is launched.
Served a total of unique 30 to enter an inpatient treatment program
CRU receives $2.5 million in Prop 47 Grant funding.
Total Served: 245
Crisis De-Escalation: 206
Warm Handoff to MH: 16
Welfare Checks: 643
Transportation Services: 643
Total Service Episodes: 952
CRU additionally provides co-response interventions with local hospital to assist in transition out of the hospital. This involves partnering with APS, CPS, and other social service agencies to provide the maximum number of resources when being released from hospital care into homeless or limited housing situation.
CRU has been able to assist family units from school-based interventions. CRU would meet with family after school to best support family.
CRU continued to participate in multi-agency care meetings to address clients needing a higher level of care. As well ascollaborating with SUDT and CPS in efforts to accommodate clients interested in entering treatment. CRU was able tocoordinate with family members and outside mental/behavioral health agencies regarding client with extensive history (since1980) with FBPD to receive proper long-term treatment.
Recognized by Dr. Robert Marbut for implementing his recommendations from 2018 report. Expecting visits from other LawEnforcement agency heads from around the nation to review program as a model. UCLA researchers requested acollaboration meeting to review project. UCLA requested continued meetings in order to build a documented model.
CRU receives the YOR 3 Grant and launches Project Right Now.
Project Right Now begins providing services and educational material to schools and families.
CRU was able to connect with local agencies to enroll multiple clients with medical/dental services.
CRU worked with local county probation to collaborate and best execute plans formultiple clients needs.
CRU was able to connect multiple senior clients to local senior supportive services.
CRU worked with local agencies to provide funding for Pet Care services. Services such as spay and neuter for cats and dogs. Services also include simple vet examinations, free microchipping, rabies shots, kennel couch injections, annual vaccinations.
CRU also attended local county agency training for the Mental Health Services Act for the Upcoming Three Year Plan. CRU was able to collaborate and compare services and develop a better relationship within county agency and other local agencies that attended
2022
Total Served Unduplicated: 82
Crisis De-Escalation: 34
Warm Handoff to MH: 25
Welfare Checks: 139
Transportation Services: 37
All of the Care Response Unit (including supervisor) was able to attend Crisis Intervention Trainings - De-escalation and Diversity Training. Which included civilian crisis intervention as well as law enforcement collaboration.
CRU is launched as part of a Behavioral Health Grant to provide Police Officers with an essential tool for assisting individuals in crisis.
2023
2024
2025
CRU holds a public stakeholder meeting.
The City of Fort Bragg sees a decrease of two thirds of arrests of homeless people.
CRU applies for Prop 47 Grant funding.
CRU launches Carter Kit & Blue Envelope initiative.
CRU and the Fort Bragg Police Department host National Night Out.
