TL;DR (generated · confidence: high)

This executive summary responds to a City Council directive for Portland Street Response (PSR) and Community Health Assess and Treat (CHAT) programs to define missions, scopes, and staffing models. Both programs provide trauma-informed responses to behavioral health crises and low-acuity medical calls. The memo recommends maintaining staffing levels, converting limited-duration roles to permanent positions, expanding to 24/7 PSR and seven-day CHAT operations, and pursuing diversified funding through General Fund allocations, Medicaid reimbursement, opioid settlement funds, and grants.

Key points (each cites a PDF page):

Portland Street Response (PSR) and Community Health Assess and Treat (CHAT) address behavioral health crises and low-acuity medical calls, filling gaps in emergency response and alleviating strain on police, fire, and hospitals. (p. 1125)
Recommendation to maintain current staffing levels through ongoing funding to ensure program continuity. (p. 1125)
Recommendation to convert limited-duration roles to permanent positions to improve workforce stability and reduce turnover. (p. 1125)
Strategic expansion recommended to increase staffing for 24/7 PSR operations and seven-day CHAT service. (p. 1125)
Diversified funding strategies recommended including General Fund allocations, Medicaid reimbursement, opioid settlement funds, and grant opportunities. (p. 1125)
Memo emphasizes that if these programs are eliminated, service demands will shift back to traditional emergency services rather than disappear, exacerbating burden on police, fire, and EMS. (p. 1125)

📋 Portland Street Response (PSR) · Community Health Assess and Treat (CHAT) · 🏛️ Public Safety Service Area

Executive summary

Source: PDF p. 1125 · raw: 1125

Breadcrumb: 5 ps › PSR-and-CHAT-2025-Budget-Note-Memo › Response memo to FY2025 Budget Note: Direction to Develop Programmatic Mission, Scope, and Staffing Model for Portland Street Response & Community Health Assess and Treat › Executive summary

mike.j.myers@portlandoregon.gov 1120 SW 5th Avenue Public Safety Service Area Portland, OR 97204 Mike Myers, Deputy City Administrator 503-865-6047 Response memo to FY2025 Budget Note: Direction to Develop Programmatic Mission, Scope, and Staffing Model for Portland Street Response & Community Health Assess and Treat February 2025 Executive summary This memo responds to City Council’s directive for Portland Street Response (PSR) and Community Health Assess and Treat (CHAT) to define their missions, scopes, and staffing models while identifying sustainable funding strategies to ensure continued operations beyond FY 2024-25. Both programs address critical community needs through trauma- informed, compassionate responses to behavioral health crises and low-acuity medical calls— filling gaps in Portland’s emergency response system, alleviating strain on police, fire, and hospitals, and improving outcomes for vulnerable populations. The need for these services is undeniable, and the obligation to meet that need remains. If these programs disappear, the costs will not vanish; they will simply shift back to traditional emergency services, exacerbating the burden on police, fire, and emergency medical systems. To stabilize and scale PSR and CHAT, this memo recommends: • Maintaining Current Staffing Levels: Secure ongoing funding to ensure program continuity. • Converting Limited-Duration Roles to Permanent Positions: Improve workforce stability, reduce costly turnover, and attract long-term talent. • Strategic Expansion: Increase staffing to support 24/7 operations for PSR and seven- day service for CHAT to meet growing demand. • Pursuing Diversified Funding: Utilize General Fund allocations, Medicaid reimbursement, opioid settlement funds, and grant opportunities to ensure long-term financial sustainability. By investing in these innovative, proven programs, City Council could scale services effectively, maximize cost efficiency, and meet Portland’s evolving public safety and healthcare needs—creating a more responsive, equitable, and sustainable system for all. Portlandgov PortlandORGov @PortlandGov The City of Portland is committed to providing meaningful access. To request translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, or other auxiliary aids or services contact 311 (503-823-4000), for Relay Service & TTY: 711

Parent: Response memo to FY2025 Budget Note: Direction to Develop Programmatic Mission, Scope, and Staffing Model for Portland Street Response & Community Health Assess and Treat · PDF: p. 1125