A new emergency public service launched Monday in Montezuma County will respond to noncriminal situations involving behavioral health, social problems and basic medical care.

The Community Intervention Program is a collaboration between the county, Cortez, Mancos, Dolores, Axis Health System and the Cortez Fire Protection District.

Monday through Friday, a nondescript white van staffed with an EMT and social worker will be dispatched to provide assistance for people with problems such as a mental health issue, alcohol or drug addiction, suicidal ideation, overdose, homelessness, hunger, illness or injury or a personal or family crisis.

The EMTs are Al Brokofsky and Quinn Deffenbaugh. Charlee Sharp is the behavioral health provider and is a certified addiction specialist with Axis Health.

Intervention staff and local government officials gathered Monday morning at Cortez Fire Protection District Station 3 for a grand opening of the new public service, which will be based at the station.

“We are here to help people with immediate assistance, then offer follow-up resources that are available locally,” said Brokofsky.

Intervening in someone’s bad day, and “having that a one-on-one conversation about what’s happening and how to get help,” is the goal of the program, Sharp said.

Law enforcement and fire departments typically are called to handle noncriminal social welfare problems, but they are less trained to address behavioral issues. It also takes time away from responding to crimes, fires or crashes.

“We have more time to spend with an individual than the police, who have so much to do already,” Brokofsky said.

Emergency calls for noncriminal situations continue to increase, said Montezuma County Commissioner Jim Candelaria, including for welfare checks, substance abuse, mental health, suicidal threats and overdoses.

“We have seen this problem getting worse and worse. After a lot of discussion and collaboration with area towns, police and fire agencies, a countywide intervention program was seen as something to try,” he said. “We are offering a hand up for people in need.”

The CIP van will be dispatched for specific noncriminal 911 calls, said program organizer Haley Leonard Saunders, public information officer for Axis Health in Cortez.

Dispatchers are trained to use a “decision tree” to determine whether the call warrants the intervention service and that they are not criminal or dangerous.

For the first 2-3 months, when the CIP van is dispatched it will be accompanied by law enforcement so everyone gets a feel for the new program, Saunders said. CIP staff will be in radio contact with law enforcement and dispatch.

When situations are criminal, violent or threatening, or are a public emergency, then law enforcement, fire departments, and Southwest Health System ambulance will be called to the scene, said CFPD Chief Jay Balfour. CIP can provide additional service if needed.

The CIP cargo van is equipped with emergency and medical materials, but will not run emergency lights to avoid invoking a law enforcement presence, which can be uncomfortable for some clients.

When not out on a dispatch call, the CIP van will go to areas of the county where people are often in need, such as homeless camps, neighborhoods and parks. They will also ride a mountain bike around towns to contact people who are in trouble or suffering.

“We will be reaching out, asking people how they are doing. We have blankets to give out, some clothing and snacks. Do you have a medical issue? I’d be glad to check it out,” said Brokofsky.

The CIP program was established as a new county department, and costs are shared between the county, Cortez, Mancos, and Dolores.

Startup costs are about $408,000 for the first year and partially in the second year. The program is initially paid for by American Rescue Plan Act funding – federal aid awarded to the county and area towns to aid post-pandemic recovery.

Using ARPA funds, the county paid $292,000, Cortez paid $177,000, Mancos paid 32,000, and Dolores $18,500 toward the program.

Funding after the first year will come from state and federal grants, along with community fundraising efforts, Saunders said. She said the program is seeking to hire additional staff.

jmimiaga@the-journal.com